University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Ready for No. 1/1 UConn
1/27/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HARTFORD â€" The Houston Cougar Women's Basketball team will meet No. 1/1 UConn at 11 a.m., Saturday, in Hartford, Conn. The Huskies enter the contest on a NCAA-record 94-game winning streak.
Saturday's contest will air live via SNY and also on ESPN3 with Eric Frede and Meg Culmo on the call. The streamed version of the game can be found by clicking HERE. Fans can also catch the game via Houston's home for Women's Basketball Radio, UHCougars.com/wbbradio. Live statistics are also available through , and the official Twitter account of Houston Women's Basketball, @UHCougarWBB, will offer updates throughout the game. | LIVE VIDEO | TWITTER
THE STARTING FIVE
Here are five names, numbers, news items and storylines that you need to know about Saturday's game at UConn.
See It Live â€" Saturday's matchup between Houston and UConn will air live via SNY. Eric Frede will handle play-by-play responsibilities, while Meg Culmo will serve as the color analyst.
The Nation's Best â€" UConn enters the contest ranked No. 1 in the NCAA in both the AP and Coaches rankings. The Huskies are currently on a 94-game winning streak.
Scoring Machine â€" Freshman guard Jasmyne Harris has been on fire of late. She is averaging 13.6 points per game over her last 14 contests.
So Much Depth â€" Houston's bench has played a key role in the scoring this season. The Cougars have won the bench points battle in 16 of their 20 contests.
Against No. 1 â€" Houston has been matched up against the No. 1 team in the nation 13 times in history, including four previous times against UConn. Houston is 0-13 against No. 1 teams all-time.
SERIES vs. UCONN
Houston and UConn have met just four times in history since the two teams joined the American Athletic Conference. UConn has been ranked No. 1 in the nation in each of the four contests.
The last time the two teams met, UConn came away victorious 76-37 on Jan. 8, 2016.
UConn has won all four contests in the series including both matchups in Connecticut.
SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
UConn enters Saturday's contest with a 19-0 record and is currently on a 94-game winning streak. The Huskies are ranked No. 1 in each of the Associated Press and Coaches polls. Most recently, UConn defeated East Carolina 91-44 on Tuesday.
As a team this season, the Huskies average 85.3 points per game while holding their opponents to just 54.6. Offensively, the Huskies shoot 51.9 percent from the field, including 42.0 percent from beyond the 3-point line. UConn holds opponents to just 35.2 percent from the field, and an American Athletic Conference best 25.7 percent from deep.
Katie Lou Samuelson leads the team in points per game with 21.8, while three other Huskies average double-figures. Napheesa Collier scores 19.2 points per contest, while Kia Nurse contributes 13.2 and Gabby Williams adds 12.3 points per game. Williams and Collier have been a force on the glass for UConn, pulling down 8.6 and 8.1 rebounds per game respectively.
PURCHASE A SHASTA PASS
The Houston Athletics Ticket Office is proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2016-17 athletic season. For just $80, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Women's Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Softball home games. Fans can order a Shasta Pass by clicking .
FLOOR SEATS SEASON TICKET PACKAGE
The Houston Athletics Ticket Office also offers a Floor Seats season ticket package. For just $250, fans will have courtside access to all 14 Houston home games in 2016-17. Fans can purchase a season ticket package for Floor Seats by clicking HERE.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Single-game tickets for all 14 games inside Hofheinz Pavilion are on sale now via the Houston Athletics Ticket Office. Prices begin at just $5 for general admission seats and range up to $20 for floor seats. General admission group tickets are offered to parties of 10+ for $3 each. Single-game tickets can be purchased HERE.
FERTITTA PLEDGES $20 MILLION TO ATHLETICS
Tilman J. Fertitta, globally recognized entrepreneur and Chairman of the University of Houston System Board of Regents, presented a historic $20 million gift to the University of Houston to transform the UH basketball arena into a state of the art collegiate sports facility and rename the arena Fertitta Center. Fertitta's gift is the largest individual donation to UH Athletics.
The Fertitta gift is a significant step forward in the $60 million University of Houston Basketball capital renewal project for the center's design and renovation. Design work is currently underway. Renovations and construction are scheduled to follow the 2016-17 season, with completion expected during the 2018-19 season. Plans for the Cougars' home facility during the 2017-18 season have not been finalized.
The facility will feature a premium club area and a courtside club. The reconfigured bowl will move mid-court seating locations closer to game action with floor-level seating opposite the team benches for UH students. Renovations include a new audio system, sports lighting and video boards as well as new concession stands and expanded restrooms. The facility's exterior also will be refreshed.
Prominent to the center's exterior, the renovation will preserve the legacy of the Hofheinz family and its contributions to both UH and the city of Houston. UH will transform an area adjacent to the new facility into Hofheinz Plaza, where fans will be greeted by a bronze statue of former Harris County Judge Roy Hofheinz. The University of Houston will request that city officials rename a portion of Holman Street in front of the arena after the Hofheinz family. In addition, Roy Hofheinz's records will be permanently archived and publicly accessible as a special collection in the UH library and the Alumni Center will house an area describing the lives and public service of Roy and Irene Hofheinz.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive daily information and in-game updates by following @UHCougarWBB on Twitter. Fans can also catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at facebook.com/UHCougarWBB.
