University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Meet #18 Cincinnati
3/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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| HOUSTON COUGARS (20-8 • 11-5 American) at #18/20 CINCINNATI BEARCATS (25-4 • 14-2 American) presented by Maintenance Supply Headquarters | |
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| Time | 6 p.m. CST • Thursday, March 2, 2017 |
| Location | Fifth Third Arena (13,176) • Cincinnati |
| Television | ESPN2 Adam Amin, play-by-play Len Elmore, analyst |
| Radio | KPRC 950 AM Jeremy Branham, play-by-play • Pregame show begins at 5:45 p.m. CST |
| Live Stats | |
| Game Notes | • Houston Notes • Cincinnati Notes • The American Notes |
| Social Media |    |
CINCINNATI -- The University of Houston Men's Basketball program wraps up its 2016-17 regular-season road schedule when it takes on No. 18/20 Cincinnati at 6 p.m. (CST) Thursday, inside Fifth Third Arena.
Winners of seven of its last eight games, the Cougars now stand at 20-8 overall and are in third at 11-5 in the latest American Athletic Conference standings. This marks the second straight season in which Houston has posted back-to-back 20-win seasons, a first since 2007-08 and 2008-09.
Much of the Cougars' success has come from the road this season. Houston has enjoyed a 6-2 record in conference road games in 2016-17, marking the second straight year that the Cougars have recorded 6+ conference road wins in a single season. It's only the second time in Houston history that feat has been accomplished in consecutive years and the first since 1982-83 and 1983-84.
Thursday's game will be the first of two "Final" games for Houston this week. As Houston fans know, the Cougars play host to East Carolina at 3 p.m., Sunday, on Senior Day during the Final Game inside Hofheinz Pavilion. Houston's facility will undergo a $60 million renovation later this month and be transformed into the Fertitta Center for the 2018-19 season.
However, Thursday's game also will be the final game for Cincinnati as the Fifth Third Arena undergoes renovations of its own after this season.
Junior guard Rob Gray continues to lead the Cougars and the American Athletic Conference with 20.3 points per game and is looking to become the Cougars' first conference scoring champion since guard Aubrey Coleman in 2009-10.
The Forest City, N.C., native is the only Cougar to score double-digit points in every game in which he has played this season.
Senior guard Damyean Dotson has been the hottest player in recent games and scored a game-high 31 points, including the game-winning free throw with 3.3 seconds left, in the Cougars' 72-71 win at Memphis on Sunday evening.
Dotson is one of only three players to rank among The American's top-12 leaders in both scoring and rebounding and joins with Gray to make Houston the only team with two of the league's top-four scorers.
TELEVISION/RADIO
Fans can watch Thursday's game on ESPN2 with Adam Amin calling the play-by-play action and Len Elmore providing analysis. Fans can find watch the game online by visiting WatchESPN and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
Fan can listen to Thursday's game with Jeremy Branham calling the action on KPRC 950 AM or by clicking here. The pregame show begins at 5:45 p.m. (CST), Thursday. A subscription to Houston All-Access is required to hear the game online.
ABOUT CINCINNATI
• Entering Thursday's game, Cincinnati has posted a 25-4 overall record and 14-2 mark in American Athletic Conference play.
• Bearcats stand in second in the league standings.
• Cincinnati dropped a 53-49 decision at UCF on Sunday afternoon, ending a three-game losing streak.
• Against UCF, sophomore guard Jacob Evans posted 17 points, while freshman guard Jarron Cumberland came off the bench to score 11 points with three rebounds and five assists... Junior forward Kyle Washington lead the Bearcats with nine rebounds.
• This season, Evans and Washington are tied for the team lead with 13.6 points per game... Junior forward Gary Clark tops the Bearcats with 7.8 rebounds per game, while senior guard Troy Caupain is tops with 4.7 assists per contest.
• Head Coach Mick Cronin is in his 11th season at Cincinnati and his 14th season as a collegiate head coach.
• Has compiled a 301-157 record during his career and is 232-133 during his Cincinnati tenure.
• Previously built a 69-24 record at Murray State (2003-06).
• Cronin has posted a 6-1 record against Houston during his career with all seven previous meetings coming during his career at Cincinnati.
• 1997 graduate of Cincinnati
UP NEXT
• Following Thursday's game, the Cougars meet East Carolina at 3 p.m., Sunday, in the final game inside Hofheinz Pavilion... Facility undergoes a $60 million renovation to become the Fertitta Center for the 2018-19 season.
• Prior to the game against East Carolina, Xavier Dupree, Bertrand Nkali, Kyle Meyer, Danrad Knowles and Damyean Dotson will be recognized on Senior Day.
• From there, Cougars enter the postseason with the American Athletic Conference Championship, set for March 9-12 inside XL Center in Hartford, Conn.
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TICKETS INFORMATION
Fans can purchase $5 tickets for Sunday's game by visiting uhcougars.com/tickets and using this Promo Code: GOCOOGS.
Family Four-Pack -- For only $60, families can purchase a Four-Pack, which includes 4 tickets, 4 hotdogs, 4 drinks and 4 popcorns... Available ONLY at uhcougars.com/tickets and using Promo Code: FAMILYPACK... Deadline is 11 p.m., Saturday.
Basketball of the 2000s -- Fans can receive 2 tickets, 2 souvenir sodas and 2 cheese burgers for only $20. Fans can purchase take advantage of this offer by visiting uhcougars.com/tickets and using this Promo Code: UH2000s... Deadline is 11 p.m., Saturday.
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.
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.
