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University of Houston Athletics
Houston Opens NCAA Tournament Play
3/14/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
 | WATCH (TBS) | WATCH (Live Stream) | LISTEN (KPRC 950 AM) | LISTEN (Westwood One) |
NCAA TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND | |
|---|---|
| Bracket | Bracket |
| Time | 6:20 p.m. • Thursday, March 15, 2018 |
| Location | INTRUST Bank Arena (15,750) • Wichita, Kan. |
| Television | TBS Brad Nessler, play-by-play Steve Lavin, analyst Evan Washburn, sideline |
| Radio | KPRC 950 AM Jeremy Branham, play-by-play Elvin Hayes, analyst • Pregame show begins at 6:05 p.m.
|
| Live Scoring | |
| Game Notes | • Houston Notes • San Diego State Notes • The American Notes |
| Social Media |    |
WICHITA, Kan â€" For the first time since 2010 and only the second time since 1992, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program will compete in the NCAA Tournament when it tips off vs. San Diego State at 6:20 p.m., Thursday, inside INTRUST Bank Arena.
Under the leadership of American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars (26-7) earned their place in the postseason event after one of the best seasons in decades. The 2017-18 squad became only the sixth time in school history to enjoy 26+ wins in a single season and defeated three ranked opponents, including No 11/14 Wichita State in the Aaron's American Athletic Conference Championship Semifinals on Saturday.
For more information about the Cougars and the NCAA Tournament, fans can visit uhcougars.com/ncaa.
ABOUT THE COUGARS
Winners of 12 of their last 15 games, No. 21/19 Houston enters the NCAA postseason after a thrilling run in the American Athletic Conference Championship last week in Orlando.
The Cougars knocked off the host team UCF in the Quarterfinals, upset No. 11/14 Wichita State for the second time this season in the Semifinals and fell by just a point to No. 8/8 Cincinnati in the title game.
Senior guard Rob Gray was named to the All-Tournament Team and leads Houston and ranks second in The American with 18.5 points per game. Gray, who also has earned USBWA All-District VII First Team and NABC All-District 25 First Team honors this postseason ranks among The American's top-15 leaders in numerous categories and joined the Cougars' all-time top-10 scoring leaders.
Junior guard Corey Davis Jr., who joined Gray on the All-Tournament Team, ranks second on the team with 13.5 points per game and has drained at least one 3-pointer in 29 straight games, second in Houston history and trailing only Damyean Dotson's school-record 32-game streak a year ago.
Senior forward Devin Davis stands third among the Cougar with 10.8 points per game but leads the team with 6.2 rebounds per contest. One of Houston's most consistent performers in 2017-18, Davis is the only Cougar to start all 33 games to date.
Now in his fourth season with the Cougars, Sampson has led Houston to one of its best seasons in recent memory. With the Cougars' appearance Thursday, he will become only the 14th coach in NCAA history to take four different schools to the NCAA Tournament and is the only Houston coach in school history to enjoy three 20+ win seasons in his first four years.
With nearly 600 wins on his resume, Sampson also will enjoy another milestone Thursday as he competes in his 900th career game as a collegiate head coach.
TELEVISION/RADIO
Fans can watch Thursday's game live on TBS with Brad Nessler calling the play-by-play action, Steve Lavin providing analysis and Evan Washburn reporting from the sidelines. Fans also can watch the live stream online by clicking here.
Fans can hear Thursday's game live on KPRC 950 AM with Jeremy Branham calling the play-by-play action and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes providing analysis. The pregame show begins at 6:05 p.m., Thursday.
Fans also can hear the game live on Westwood One national radio with Brandon Gaudin calling the play by play and Donny Marshall providing color.
All of the Thursday games from the Wichita Regional can be heard on Sirius channel 81 and XM channel 81. Fans also can access a free online stream of all individual Westwood One game broadcasts by visiting westwoodonesports.com/Wichita and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
ABOUT SAN DIEGO STATE
• San Diego State brings a 22-10 overall record and 11-7 mark in Mountain West Conference play into Thursday's NCAA Tournament First Round game.
• Aztecs won three straight games to capture the Mountain West Conference Tournament title and claim the league's automatic bid... San Diego State has won its last nine games entering Thursday's game and not lost since an 83-58 setback at Nevada on Feb. 10.
• Aztecs received two points in the most recent Associated Press poll and one point in the latest USA TODAY Coaches' poll.
• In its last outing, San Diego State connected on 50 percent of its shots from the field and outrebounded New Mexico 36-30 on the way to an 82-75 win in the Mountain West Championship Final on Saturday in Las Vegas.
• Against New Mexico, guard Trey Kells led all players with 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting, while forward Malik Pope added 16 points and tied with forward Jalen McDaniels for game-high honors with six rebounds... Guard Devin Watson added 12 points with a team-high five assists in the win.
• This season, Pope leads San Diego State with 12.9 points and is one of five Aztec averaging double-digit points... Watson ranks second with 12.3 points per game but leads the team with 3.8 assists per contest... Matt Mitchell stands third with 10.7 points per game with Kells averaging 10.4 points per game and McDaniels totaling 10.2 points per game.
• Head Coach Brian Dutcher is in his first season at San Diego State and as an NCAA collegiate head coach.
• Has compiled a 22-10 record at San Diego State and during his career.
• Is now in his 19th season at San Diego State... Served as assistant head coach from 1999 to 2011... Was associate head coach/head coach in waiting from 2011 to 2017 and became head coach following Steve Fisher's retirement in April 2017.
• Thursday's game will be the first time that Dutcher has faced Houston during his career.
• Thursdays game will be the first time that Dutcher has faced Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their respective careers.
• 1982 graduate of Minnesota.
UP NEXT
With a win against San Diego State on Thursday, the Cougars would face the winner of the (3) No. 7/7 Michigan-(14) Montana game in the NCAA Tournament Second Round on a time to be determined Saturday.
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.
