University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Host Memphis on Thursday
1/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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| MEMPHIS TIGERS (13-5 • 3-2 American) at HOUSTON COUGARS (13-5 • 4-2 American) presented by Maintenance Supply Headquarters | |
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| Time | 8 p.m. • Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 |
| Location | Hofheinz Pavilion (8,479) • Houston |
| Tickets | BUY Tickets |
| Questions? | Fan Guide |
| Promotions | Gameday Promotions |
| Television | CBS Sports Network • Channel Finder Carter Blackburn, play-by-play Chris Walker, analyst Cassie McKinney |
| Radio | KPRC 950 AM Jeremy Branham, play-by-play Elvin Hayes, analyst |
| Live Stats | |
| Game Notes | • Houston Notes • Memphis Notes • The American Notes |
| Social Media |    |
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Men's Basketball program returns to action at 8 p.m., Thursday, when they Cougars play host to American Athletic Conference rival Memphis inside Hofheinz Pavilion.
For fans who enjoy high-scoring offense, Thursday's game is for you. The contest features two of the league's top-three scoring offense with the Tigers averaging a league-best 78.8 points per game and the Cougars standing third with 75.8 points per contest.
The game also features the top-two individual scoring leaders in the league. Posting a game-high 28 points in Saturday's 77-70 loss at UCF, Houston junior guard Rob Gray took over the league lead with 20.8 points per game in 2016-17, standing 0.6 points per game ahead of Memphis' Dedric Lawson.
Houston senior guard and Preseason All-American Athletic Conference honoree Damyean Dotson joins Lawson as the only players to rank among the league's top-8 leaders in both scoring AND rebounding. Dotson ranks second among the Cougars and seventh in the league with 14.6 points per game while leading Houston with 7.4 rebounds per contest to stand seventh.
Thursday's game will marks the start of a busy time for the Cougars at home with four games in a five-game stretch inside Hofheinz Pavilion. Following Thursday's game, the Cougars hit the road to take on SMU at 5 p.m., Saturday, and then return to Houston to play host to three straight home games: vs. Tulane (8 p.m., Jan. 24); vs. Temple (9 p.m., Jan. 28) and vs. UCF (6 p.m., Feb. 1).
PROMOTIONS
Honorary Captain Otis Birdsong
For Thursday's game, fans will want to arrive early as Houston legend and former NBA star Otis Birdsong will be recognized as the team's honorary game captain in pregame ceremonies.
Birdsong was a consensus All-American as a senior in 1977 after averaging 30.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while leading the Cougars to a 29-8 overall record and berth in the NIT Championship Game.
Following his Cougar career, he enjoyed a 12-year career in the NBA with the Kansas City Kings, New Jersey Nets and Boston Celtics and was a four-time NBA All-Star.
Birdsong is one of only five Cougars in program history to have his jersey number retired.
Otis Birdsong Replica Jersey Rally Towel
Fans can receive No. 10 Otis Birdsong replica jersey rally towels at the Marketing table on the Holman Street side of Hofheinz Pavilion while supplies last. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., Thursday.
UH Student Tailgate
ALL University of Houston students are invited to join the Cougars' FREE Student Tailgate, beginning at 6 p.m., Thursday on Holman Street across from Hofheinz Pavilion.
The Student Tailgate features free food, cash bar, music and giveaways and will close at 7:45 p.m., Thursday.
Family Four-Pack
Families can purchase the Family Four-Pack for Thursday's game. For only $60, families can receive 4 tickets, 4 drinks, 4 hot dogs and 4 popcorns for only $60.
Families interested in purchasing the Family Four Pack should visit uhcougars.com/tickets and use this Promo Code: familypack. From there, fans can select the game(s) of their choice for the Family Four Pack. To enjoy the offer for Thursday's game against Memphis, fans MUST PURCHASE the Four Pack online by 11 p.m., Wednesday.
Greek Night
Members of the UH Greek community will want to be in attendance for Thursday's game. The Greek organization with the highest attendance will receive $200 toward their charity of choice.
Greek organizations members should sign in at the Holman Street student entrance of Hofheinz Pavilion with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., Thursday.
AcroDunk at Halftime
Fans will want to stay in their seats at halftime as AcroDunk Extreme Dunkers perform.
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TICKETS INFORMATION
Single-game tickets and group ticket packages are available to accommodate all budgets. Fans can visit uhcougars.com/tickets, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and follow the appropriate links or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) to order tickets.
Current University of Houston main campus students are admitted FREE to all Men's Basketball games with valid IDs. Main campus students may purchase student guest tickets to each Men's Basketball game for $5 each, based on availability.
Single game tickets begin at only $12 for American Athletic Conference games and $10 for non-conference games.
TELEVISION/RADIO
Fans can watch Thursday's game on CBS Sports Network with Carter Blackburn calling the play-by-play action, Chris Walker providing analysis and Cassie McKinney providing analysis. To find CBS Sports Network in their local listings, fans can click here..
Fans can listen to Thursday's game with Jeremy Branham calling the action and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes providing analysis on KPRC 950 AM or by clicking here. Pregame show begins at 7:45 p.m., Thursday. A subscription to Houston All-Access is required to hear the game online.
ABOUT MEMPHIS
• Entering Thursday's game, Memphis has posted a 13-5 overall record and is 3-2 in American Athletic Conference play... Tigers are in sixth place in latest league standings.
• Memphis has won four of its last five games, including a 62-56 home win over USF on Saturday in its most recent action... Only an 81-71 loss at Tulsa on Jan. 11 prevents a longer streak.
• Against USF, guard Markel Crawford led all players with 10 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 5-of-10 from behind the arc... Forward Dedric Lawson added 11 points, while forward Jimario Rivers totaled 12 points with 11 rebounds.
• This season, Dedric Lawson leads the Tigers and ranks second in The American with 20.2 points per game... He also tops the league with 10.5 rebounds per contest... Crawford ranks second on the team and fourth in the league with 15.8 points per game, while K.J. Lawson stands third with 12.1 points per game... Jeremiah Martin paces the team with 4.6 assists per contest.
• Head Coach Tubby Smith is in his first season at Memphis and his 26th season as a collegiate head coach.
• Has compiled a 570-281 record during his career and is 13-5 during his Memphis tenure.
• Previously built a 79-43 record at Tulsa (1991-95), a 45-19 record at Georgia (1995-97), a 263-83 record at Kentucky (1997-07), a 124-81 record at Minnesota (2007-13) and a 46-50 record at Texas Tech (2013-16).
• Smith has posted a 2-1 record against Houston during his career... Saturday's game will be the first time he has faced the Cougars with Memphis.
• 1973 graduate of High Point.
UP NEXT
• Following Thursday's game, the Cougars head north on Interstate 45 to take on SMU at 5 p.m., Saturday, inside Moody Coliseum in Dallas... Game will be shown on ESPNU and can be heard on KPRC 950 AM.
• From there, Houston returns to the friendly confines of Hofheinz Pavilion for three straight home games... Homestand begins at 8 p.m., Jan. 24, against Tulane... Game will be shown on CBS Sports Network and can be heard on KPRC 950 AM.
• Homestand continues with games against Temple (9 p.m., Jan. 28) and against UCF (6 p.m., Feb. 1).
JOIN the 50-50 CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered team apparel, a signed basketball, invitations to practice, a tour of the $25 million Guy V. Lewis Development Facility, regular updates about the program and much more.
To join the 50-50 Club, fans can call 713-743-9742 or email UHMensBasketball@uh.edu. For more information about the 50-50 Club, levels of giving and benefits, fans can click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook and Instagram pages.
