University of Houston Athletics
Men's Basketball on the Road at UTEP this Weekend
1/5/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 5, 2012
| HOUSTON COUGARS (9-5 • 1-0 C-USA) at UTEP MINERS (7-8 • 0-1 C-USA) | |
|---|---|
| Time | 8 p.m. (CST)/7 P.M. (MST) Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012 |
| Location | Don Haskins Center (12,000) • El Paso, Texas |
| Radio | Live Audio Streaming SportsTalk 790 • Houston IMG Sports Network Tom Franklin, PxP; Elvin Hayes, analyst Broadcast begins at 7:45 p.m. (CST)/ 6:45 p.m. (MST) |
| Television | Live Video Streaming Time Warner Cable Duke Keith, PxP; Neal Raphael, analyst Check local listings |
| Live Stats | |
| Series History | UTEP leads 12-8 |
| Last Meeting | UTEP won 76-64 Feb. 19, 2011 • El Paso, Texas |
| Game Notes | Houston Notes  UTEP Notes Conference USA Notebook |
| Social Media |  Facebook •  Twitter |
EL PASO, Texas - Winners of its last five games, the University of Houston men's basketball team puts that streak on the line Saturday evening when it faces Conference USA rival UTEP at 8 p.m. (CST)/7 p.m. (MST) inside Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.
The Cougars enter this weekend's game on the heels of a thrilling 70-69 win in overtime against Tulsa inside Hofheinz Pavilion. Junior guard Jonathon Simmons hit the first of two free throw attempts with just 0.7 seconds left on the clock in overtime to seal the win for the Cougars.
With that victory, the Cougars concluded their season-long, five-game homestand with a perfect 5-0 mark and improved to 8-3 overall in front of the hometown fans. It was also the first time since December 2008 that the Cougars have rattled off a winning streak of at least five games.
After losing their first five games decided by five points or fewer, the Cougars have rallied to win their last three contests with a similar margin.
Against the Golden Hurricane, the Cougars did not allow a single Tulsa 3-pointer in five attempts. It was the first time since Dec. 9, 1997, against California that the Cougars did not allow a trey to an NCAA Division I opponent, a streak of 418 games.
In fact, neither team attempted a 3-pointer through the first 20 minutes of play.
This season, Simmons leads the Cougars with 15.9 points per game, while sophomore forward Alandise Harris ranks second on the squad with 14.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Redshirt freshman guard Joseph Young is third among the Cougars with 11.2 points per game, while freshman forward TaShawn Thomas averages 10.6 points and a team-best 8.5 rebounds per contest.
ON THE AIR
Fans can hear Saturday's game live on SportsTalk 790 AM with Tom Franklin calling the play-by-play action and Cougar legend Elvin Hayes providing analysis. The pregame show is slated to begin at 7:45 p.m. (CST)/6:45 P.M. (MST), Saturday.
Fans can watch the game live on Time Warner Cable with Duke Keith calling the play-by-play action and Neal Raphael providing analysis. Fans should check their local listings for broadcasts in their areas.
Fans can hear the see and hear the audio and video streams live at UHCougars.com by clicking the All-Access tab and following the appropriate links to sign up for Cougar All-Access. A charge is required to hear games via Cougar All-Access.
Fans can following live stats by clicking the GameTracker link or by clicking .
SERIES HISTORY vs. UTEP
This marks the seventh straight season the two teams will meet on the hardwood. UTEP owns a 12-8 lead in the all-time series, which began Dec. 28, 1979.
This series has been played at least once every season since the 2005-06 campaign when UTEP joined Conference USA. UTEP joins Memphis and UAB as the only current C-USA schools that can boast an all-time winning record against the Cougars.
The Cougars have posted a 1-9 all-time record against the Miners in El Paso. UTEP claimed a 76-64 win on Feb. 19, 2011, in the most recent action inside the Don Haskins Center.
ABOUT UTEP
UTEP brings a 7-8 overall record and 0-1 Conference USA mark into this weekend's game. In their most recent action, the Miners dropped a 76-60 decision at Marshall on Wednesday. That was UTEP's second loss in its last three games.
Against the Herd, guard Julian Washburn posted 15 points with four rebounds, while forward Jacques Streeter added 12 points, six assists and a pair of rebounds. Center John Bohannon posted 11 points with six rebounds in the loss.
This season, Michael Perez leads the Miners with 11.7 points per game, while Gabriel McCulley stands a close second with 11.3 points per contest. Washburn is third at 10.3 points per game, while Bohannon paces the team with 6.0 rebounds per game.
Head coach Tim Floyd is in his second season at UTEP and his 18th season overall. He has posted a 360-198 career record and a 32-18 mark at UTEP. He previously served as the head coach at Idaho (1986-88), New Orleans (1988-94), Iowa State (1994-98) and USC (2005-09).
Floyd, a 1977 graduate of Louisiana Tech, is 2-0 against the Cougars with both wins coming during his UTEP tenure.
UP NEXT
The Cougars travel to the eastern end of Conference USA when they meet UCF in Orlando, Fla., at 6 p.m. (CST), Wednesday.
Houston returns to the friendly confines of Hofheinz Pavilion when it plays host to Memphis at 8 p.m., Saturday. That game will be televised live on CBS Sports Network.
TICKET INFORMATION
Single-game tickets are now on sale at the Houston Athletics Ticket Office. In addition, fans also can purchase the Conference USA Pack, which includes eight exciting league games.
In the C-USA Pack, fans can buy Reserved seating to all Saturday men's home games for $99 with General Admission tickets available for only $75.
With the purchase of the Family Fun Plan, fans receive 2 adult and 2 youth general admission tickets to all Saturday C-USA games for only $159. Tickets for additional children are available for only $40 each in this Plan.
Fans can purchase their tickets by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by visiting UHCougars.com and clicking the Tickets tab and following the appropriate links or by clicking the Tickets link here.
