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University of Houston Athletics
Houston Opens Season vs. Lamar on Wednesday
11/23/2020 6:24:00 PM | Men's Basketball
No. 17/18 Cougars tip off vs. Cardinals inside Fertitta Center at 2 p.m.
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program finally returns to the hardwood when it opens the 2020-21 season at 2 p.m., Wednesday, against Lamar inside the Fertitta Center.
For the first time in 37 years, the Cougars enter the season ranked in both national preseason polls. Houston stands at No. 17 in the inaugural Associated Press poll of the season and was at No. 18 in the first USA TODAY Coaches' poll.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars enter the 2020-21 season as the nation's fifth-winningest program in the last three years. During that time, Sampson has guided Houston to a 56-12 record, back-to-back American Athletic Conference regular-season championships and two NCAA Tournament berths, including a spot in the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2019.
Leading the way for the Cougars will be sophomore guard Caleb Mills, who has enjoyed a busy preseason. The Arden, N.C., native has been named to the preseason watch lists for the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy and the Jerry West Award, presented to the nation's top shooting guard.
Mills was recognized as The American's Preseason Player of the Year in voting by the league's head coach and was a unanimous Preseason First-Team honoree.
A year ago, he became only the second freshman in school history to lead the Cougars in scoring for a season, averaging 13.2 points per contest. He joined Houston great Rob Williams, who led the team during the 1979-80 season.
Wednesday will be the Cougars' first game since taking a 64-57 win over Memphis inside Fertitta Center on March 8 to clinch the American Athletic Conference regular-season title.
GAMEDAY PROTOCOLS
• To create the safest possible environment while combating COVID-19, UH Athletics is encouraging all fans to participate in self-assessment screening prior to attending games this fall. Symptoms include but are not limited to fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches and loss of taste or smell. A link to the self-assessment can be found by clicking here.
• As part of Houston Athletics enhanced safety and cleaning measures, all athletic venues will be regularly sanitized and disinfected in all high-frequency touch points and locations throughout our facilities.
• All fans will be required to wear a mask or proper face guard shield while on University property and inside its venues along with being asked to regularly wash their hands and properly distance themselves when possible.
• Hand sanitizer dispensers will be in place throughout the entire arena. Plexiglass guards will be located at all points-of-sale, and social distancing markings will be installed to assist with queuing.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Wednesday's game on ESPN+ with Matt Thomas (play-by-play) and Houston great Reid Gettys (analyst).
• Fans can hear Wednesday's game on KPRC 950 AM or on the TuneIn app by clicking here with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (analyst). The pregame show begins at 1:45 p.m.
ABOUT LAMAR
• Like Houston, Lamar opens its 2020-21 season on Wednesday inside the Fertitta Center.
• A year ago, the Cardinals posted a 16-16 overall record with a 10-10 mark in Southland Conference play.
• Lamar tied for sixth in the final SLC standings.
• Junior guard Davion Buster returns as the team's leading scorer after averaging 14.6 points per game a year ago... Senior forward Avery Sullivan paced the Cardinals with 8.2 rebounds per game, while Buster finished second with 2.4 assists per contest... Sophomore center David Muoka led Lamar with 1.8 blocks per game.
• Head Coach Tic Price is in his eighth season at Lamar and his 18th year as a collegiate head coach.
• Price has built a 272-239 record as a collegiate head coach during his career and is 105-117 at Lamar... Previously built a 74-68 record at McNeese (2003-06), a 30-27 record at Memphis (1997-99) and a 63-27 mark at New Orleans (1994-97).
• Price has compiled a 2-4 record against Houston during his career... Was 2-2 against the Cougars with Memphis and was 0-2 as McNeese's head coach.
• Price is 1-1 against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers... Is 0-1 against Sampson's Houston teams as Lamar's head coach and was 0-1 during his Memphis and Sampson's Oklahoma stints.
• 1979 graduate of Virginia Tech.
TIES with LAMAR
• Assistant Coach Alvin Brooks is no stranger to Lamar.
• The longtime Houston assistant coach and former head coach competed for the Cardinals from 1979-81.
• As a two-year starter, Brooks was a 1981 All-Southland Conference honoree and was the starting point guard on Lamar's 1980 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 team.
• Inducted into Cardinal Hall of Honor in 2019.
• Was named one of five greatest players in Lamar history by Beaumont Enterprise readers in 1997.
• Began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant with the Cardinals from 1981 to 1986.
UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, the Cougars face Boise State at 2 p.m., Friday, inside the Fertitta Center in the first game of the Southwest Showcase.
• That game can be seen on ESPN+ and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
• From there, the Cougars hit the road for the first time in 2020-21 to take on Texas Tech at 4 p.m., Sunday, inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, in the Southwest Showcase finale.
• Sunday's game won't be the first time in 2020-21 that the Cougars compete inside Dickies Arena.
• Houston enters the postseason inside Dickies Arena when it tees off in the American Athletic Conference Championship on March 11-14, 2021.
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 Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (46874).
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 page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
For the first time in 37 years, the Cougars enter the season ranked in both national preseason polls. Houston stands at No. 17 in the inaugural Associated Press poll of the season and was at No. 18 in the first USA TODAY Coaches' poll.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars enter the 2020-21 season as the nation's fifth-winningest program in the last three years. During that time, Sampson has guided Houston to a 56-12 record, back-to-back American Athletic Conference regular-season championships and two NCAA Tournament berths, including a spot in the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2019.
Leading the way for the Cougars will be sophomore guard Caleb Mills, who has enjoyed a busy preseason. The Arden, N.C., native has been named to the preseason watch lists for the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy and the Jerry West Award, presented to the nation's top shooting guard.
Mills was recognized as The American's Preseason Player of the Year in voting by the league's head coach and was a unanimous Preseason First-Team honoree.
A year ago, he became only the second freshman in school history to lead the Cougars in scoring for a season, averaging 13.2 points per contest. He joined Houston great Rob Williams, who led the team during the 1979-80 season.
Wednesday will be the Cougars' first game since taking a 64-57 win over Memphis inside Fertitta Center on March 8 to clinch the American Athletic Conference regular-season title.
GAMEDAY PROTOCOLS
• To create the safest possible environment while combating COVID-19, UH Athletics is encouraging all fans to participate in self-assessment screening prior to attending games this fall. Symptoms include but are not limited to fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches and loss of taste or smell. A link to the self-assessment can be found by clicking here.
• As part of Houston Athletics enhanced safety and cleaning measures, all athletic venues will be regularly sanitized and disinfected in all high-frequency touch points and locations throughout our facilities.
• All fans will be required to wear a mask or proper face guard shield while on University property and inside its venues along with being asked to regularly wash their hands and properly distance themselves when possible.
• Hand sanitizer dispensers will be in place throughout the entire arena. Plexiglass guards will be located at all points-of-sale, and social distancing markings will be installed to assist with queuing.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Wednesday's game on ESPN+ with Matt Thomas (play-by-play) and Houston great Reid Gettys (analyst).
• Fans can hear Wednesday's game on KPRC 950 AM or on the TuneIn app by clicking here with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (analyst). The pregame show begins at 1:45 p.m.
ABOUT LAMAR
• Like Houston, Lamar opens its 2020-21 season on Wednesday inside the Fertitta Center.
• A year ago, the Cardinals posted a 16-16 overall record with a 10-10 mark in Southland Conference play.
• Lamar tied for sixth in the final SLC standings.
• Junior guard Davion Buster returns as the team's leading scorer after averaging 14.6 points per game a year ago... Senior forward Avery Sullivan paced the Cardinals with 8.2 rebounds per game, while Buster finished second with 2.4 assists per contest... Sophomore center David Muoka led Lamar with 1.8 blocks per game.
• Head Coach Tic Price is in his eighth season at Lamar and his 18th year as a collegiate head coach.
• Price has built a 272-239 record as a collegiate head coach during his career and is 105-117 at Lamar... Previously built a 74-68 record at McNeese (2003-06), a 30-27 record at Memphis (1997-99) and a 63-27 mark at New Orleans (1994-97).
• Price has compiled a 2-4 record against Houston during his career... Was 2-2 against the Cougars with Memphis and was 0-2 as McNeese's head coach.
• Price is 1-1 against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers... Is 0-1 against Sampson's Houston teams as Lamar's head coach and was 0-1 during his Memphis and Sampson's Oklahoma stints.
• 1979 graduate of Virginia Tech.
TIES with LAMAR
• Assistant Coach Alvin Brooks is no stranger to Lamar.
• The longtime Houston assistant coach and former head coach competed for the Cardinals from 1979-81.
• As a two-year starter, Brooks was a 1981 All-Southland Conference honoree and was the starting point guard on Lamar's 1980 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 team.
• Inducted into Cardinal Hall of Honor in 2019.
• Was named one of five greatest players in Lamar history by Beaumont Enterprise readers in 1997.
• Began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant with the Cardinals from 1981 to 1986.
UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, the Cougars face Boise State at 2 p.m., Friday, inside the Fertitta Center in the first game of the Southwest Showcase.
• That game can be seen on ESPN+ and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
• From there, the Cougars hit the road for the first time in 2020-21 to take on Texas Tech at 4 p.m., Sunday, inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, in the Southwest Showcase finale.
• Sunday's game won't be the first time in 2020-21 that the Cougars compete inside Dickies Arena.
• Houston enters the postseason inside Dickies Arena when it tees off in the American Athletic Conference Championship on March 11-14, 2021.
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 Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (46874).
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 page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
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