#25 Houston Hosts Tulane on Thursday in Fertitta Center

HOUSTON – After seeing its five-game winning streak end, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program looks to start another when it plays host to American Athletic Conference rival Tulane at 8 p.m., Thursday, inside the Fertitta Center.

This will be the start of a two-game homestand for the Cougars, who meet Wichita State at 2 p.m., Sunday, inside the Fertitta Center.

The Cougars – who are ranked at No. 25 in the latest Associated Press and USA TODAY Coaches' polls – enter this week's game following a tough 64-62 loss at Cincinnati on Saturday. Against the Bearcats, freshman guard Marcus Sasser poured in a team-high 17 points with six 3-pointers in 20 minutes, while sophomore guard Nate Hinton totaled 16 points with eight rebounds.

Houston completed the first half of the American Athletic Conference season with a 7-2 record, a half game behind league leader Tulsa. Of the Cougars' nine remaining American games, five will be played inside the Fertitta Center.

Despite the recent loss, the Cougars have won 15 of their last 18 games and stand with a 17-5 overall record.

Redshirt freshman guard Caleb Mills continues to lead the Cougars with 12.9 points per game, while sophomore guard Quentin Grimes stands second with 12.0 points per contest. Sophomore guard Nate Hinton ranks third on the team with 10.7 points per game and stands fourth in the league with 9.3 rebounds per game.

The Cougars continue to rank among the nation's Top-5 leaders in rebounds per game (42.2, 4^th), offensive rebounds per game (14.4 orpg, 4^th), rebounding margin (+2.2, 2^nd) and offensive rebounding percentage (38.7, 3^rd).

MOMENT of SILENCE
• Prior to Thursday's game, Houston will observe a moment of silence in memory of John Altobelli, his wife, Keri and their daughter, Alyssa
• The Altobelli family were in the helicopter accident on Jan. 26 that also claimed the lives of Los Angeles Laker legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna; Christina Mauser; Sarah Chester and her daughter, Payton; and pilot Ara Zobayan.
• John Altobelli was a two-year letterman for Houston Baseball from 1984 to 1985 and served as an assistant coach in 1987.

PROMOTIONS
• The game against Tulane will be part of #ThrowbackThursday. Fans are invited to submit their UH photos using the hashtag #ForTheCity for the chance to see them on the video boards during the games. Footlong hot dogs will also be available for only $4 at the concession stand across from the Celia & Barry Milner Tradition of Excellence Wall behind Section 118.
• Houston is celebrating Alumni Night with the University of Houston Alumni Association. UH alum may purchase $20 tickets for Thursday's game by clicking here.
• Fans are invited to download the Cue Audio Live app and open it during the Tulane starting lineup on Thursday night to join the Cougars' pregame light show.

ABOUT TULANE
• Tulane has posted a 10-11 record in 2019-20 with a 2-7 mark in American Athletic Conference play... Green Wave are tied for 11th with UCF in the latest American standings.
• Tulane has lost its last five games and six of the last seven... Only a 65-51 win at Temple on Jan. 11 prevents a longer streak.
• Tulane is 2-4 in road games this season with a 1-4 mark in American play.
• Through Feb. 2, Tulane stands at No. 173 in the latest NET rankings, at No. 195 in KenPom and at No. 192 in the ESPN BPI.
• In its most recent action, Tulane dropped an 82-67 decision at SMU on Saturday night.
• Against SMU, Nic Thomas led the Green Wave with 20 points, thanks to 6-of-11 shooting from the 3-point line... KJ Lawson finished with 15 points and added a team-high seven rebounds, while Teshaun Hightower added 12 points with a team-high four assists... Christion Thompson totaled 11 points with a pair of rebounds in the loss.
• This season, Hightower leads Tulane with 15.5 points, while Lawson is second with 13.8 points per contest... Thompson stands third on the team with 12.9 points per game but leads the Green Wave with 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
• Head Coach Ron Hunter is in his first season as Tulane's head coach and his 26th year as a collegiate head coach.
• Hunter has built a 455-324 record as a collegiate head coach during his career and is 10-10 at Tulane.
• Previously built a 274-219 record at IUPUI (1994-2011) and was 171-95 at Georgia State (2011-19).
• Hunter has posted an 0-2 record against Houston during his career… Was 0-1 with Georgia State and 0-1 with IUPUI.
• Hunter has posted an 0-2 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers… Was 0-1 with Georgia State and was 0-1 at IUPUI during Sampson's Indiana tenure.
• 1986 graduate of Miami (Ohio).

SERIES vs. TULANE
• Houston owns a 23-18 lead in the series against Tulane.
• Thursday's game will be the lone regular-season meeting against the Green Wave in 2019-20.
• Houston has won the last two games, four of the last five and eight of the last 10 against Tulane.
• In the lone meeting of the 2018-19 regular-season, Houston claimed an 85-50 win inside Devlin Fieldhouse in New Orleans on Feb. 17, 2019.
• This marks the sixth straight season and the 23rd time in the last 24 years that two schools will meet on the hardwood... Teams did not face one another during the 2013-14 season.
• Teams competed as Conference USA rivals from 1996-97 through 2012-13 season... Have squared off as American Athletic Conference rivals at least once a year since 2014-15 season.
• Series dates back to Dec. 11, 1946, with a 62-49 Tulane win in New Orleans.
at Home: Houston owns a 12-4 lead in the series in Houston against Tulane.
• Houston has won the last three games against the Green Wave in Houston... Last Tulane win in Houston was a 68-65 victory on Jan. 17, 2015.

BUY TICKETS
Single-game tickets are on sale now, and fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets soon before all are gone.

Fans can purchase single-game tickets by calling 713-462-6647, by visiting the Houston Athletics Ticket Office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, and any time at uhcougars.com/tickets.

Fans who were unable to purchase season tickets can get a head start for the 2020-21 season by placing their names on the Priority Waiting List for only a $50 deposit. To reserve places on the Priority Waiting List, fans can register by clicking here and following the appropriate links from the right column.

TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Thursday's game on ESPNU or by clicking here with Paul Sunderland (play-by-play) and Lance Blanks (analyst).
• Fans can hear Thursday's game on KPRC 950 AM or by clicking here with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (analyst). The pregame show begins at 7:45 p.m. Fans also hear the game on the TuneIn app by clicking here.

UP NEXT
• Following Thursday's game, Cougars will play host to Wichita State at 2 p.m., Sunday, inside Fertitta Center
• Houston enjoyed a 65-54 win inside Koch Arena in Wichita, Kan., on Jan. 18 in the first meeting of the season
• From there, Cougars hit the road to take on USF at 8 p.m. (CST), Wednesday, Feb. 12, inside the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Fla.
• Game will air on ESPN2 or ESPNU and can be heard on KPRC 950 AM and TuneIn app.

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, 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' Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.

– UHCougars.com –

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