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Sunday, January 17
Houston
1 p.m.
University of Houston
vs
UCF
Houston Ready to Host UCF on Sunday Afternoon
1/15/2021 5:28:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Watch (ESPNU | Watch ESPN app)Listen (950 AM KPRC)Listen (TuneIn)Live StatsHouston Game Notes (PDF)UCF Game Notes (PDF)The American Notes (PDF)
Cougars take on Knights at 1 p.m., Sunday, inside the Fertitta Center in first of three home games this week
HOUSTON – After an unexpected break in its schedule, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program returns to action when it meets UCF at 1 p.m., Sunday, inside the Fertitta Center.
The Cougars, who rank No. 11 in both current national polls, were scheduled to meet USF earlier this week in Tampa, Fla. However, a positive COVID test and contact tracing within the Bulls forced the game to be postponed.
Now, Houston focuses on facing the Knights for the second time this season. Houston enjoyed a 63-54 win over UCF in Orlando on Dec. 26 in a game that was rescheduled in mid-December due to COVID issues within the Cougars.
Sophomore guard Marcus Sasser led the way for the Cougars with 19 points and four 3-pointers, while senior guard DeJon Jarreau totaled 10 points with three rebounds, five assists and no turnovers.
Sasser was the star for Houston in the Cougars' most recent game. The Red Oak, Texas, native drained a career-high eight 3-pointers on the way to a career-high 28 points in the Cougars' 71-50 win over Tulane on Jan. 9 inside the Fertitta Center.
In addition to personal bests, Sasser's totals also set Fertitta Center records in both categories.
Junior guard Quentin Grimes leads the Cougars and ranks second in the American Athletic Conference with 17.7 points per game. Sasser stands fourth in the league with 16. 3 points per game, making Houston the only school with two of The American's Top-Four scorers.
The Cougars continue to lead the nation with only 54.6 points allowed per game and rank among the country's Top-10 leaders in five other categories, including opponents' field goal percentage (3rd, 36.5), offensive rebounds (5th, 15.3 orpg) and rebounding margin (9th, +10.1).
Senior forward Justin Gorham continues to lead Houston and the American Athletic Conference with 4.7 offensive rebounds per game and ranks third nationally with that total. Sasser is ninth in the nation with 3.4 3-pointers per game.
This will be the first of three straight home games for the Cougars inside the Fertitta Center this week. Following Sunday's game, the Cougars meet Tulsa at 7 p.m., Wednesday, to complete the regular-season series and meet Cincinnati for the first time in 2020-21 at 11 a.m., Saturday.
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 Sunday's game on ESPNU or the WatchESPN app with Kevin Brown (play-by-play) and Jon Crispin (analyst).
• Fans can hear Sunday's game on KPRC 950 AM or on the TuneIn app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (analyst). The pregame show begins at 2:45 p.m.
PROMOTIONS
• For Sunday's game, fans who serve as front line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic will be recognized.
• Fans who are unable to attend Sunday's game are invited to donate their tickets to front line workers. To donate, fans can visit uhcougars.com/donatetickets for more information.
ABOUT UCF
• UCF brings a 3-4 overall record and 1-3 mark in American Athletic Conference play into Sunday's game inside the Fertitta Center.
• Knights are tied for seventh with ECU, Tulane and Temple in the league standings through games of Jan. 15.
• UCF is 1-3 in road games with an 0-2 mark in American play in 2020-21.
• UCF has lost its last three games, including a 62-55 setback at Temple on Thursday afternoon
• In its most recent action, sophomore guard Darin Green Jr. and freshman forward Isaiah Adams posted 17 points apiece in the loss at Temple. Sophomore guard Dre Fuller Jr. snared a team-high 10 rebounds, while senior guard Brandon Mahan led all players with seven assists.
• This season, Mahan leads the Knights with 15.6 points per game and second on the team with 5.0 rebounds per contest... Green stand second among the Knights with 13.4 points per game, while Adams ranks third with 12.7 points per contest... Senior guard Darius Perry averages 11.8 points per game to rank fourth... Fuller leads the team with 6.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
• Head Coach Johnny Dawkins is in his fifth season as head coach at UCF and his 13th season as a collegiate head coach.
• Dawkins has built a 242-167 record during his career... Has compiled an 86-52 mark with UCF
• Previously built a 156-115 record at Stanford (2008-16).
• Dawkins is 2-6 against Houston during his career with all eight previous meetings coming during his UCF tenure.
• Dawkins has posted a 2-6 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers... All eight previous meetings coming during his UCF tenure and Sampson's Houston tenure.
UP NEXT
• Following Sunday's game, the Cougars continue their home stand when they face nr/rv Tulsa at 7 p.m., Wednesday inside the Fertitta Center.
• Game can be seen on ESPN+ and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the TuneIn app.
• Cougars will have revenge on their minds after Tulsa handed Houston its lone loss of the season with a 65-64 setback in Tulsa, Okla., on Dec. 29, 2020.
• Homestand wraps up at 11 a.m., Saturday, vs. Cincinnati in the Fertitta Center.
• Game will be shown on CBS Sports and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the TuneIn app.
JOIN the 2021-22 SEASON-TICKET PRIORITY WAIT LIST
Houston Men's Basketball fans can join the season ticket priority wait list for the 2021-22 season inside the Fertitta Center with a $75 deposit today. To place a deposit for the 2021 season, click here or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-4667).
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.
The Cougars, who rank No. 11 in both current national polls, were scheduled to meet USF earlier this week in Tampa, Fla. However, a positive COVID test and contact tracing within the Bulls forced the game to be postponed.
Now, Houston focuses on facing the Knights for the second time this season. Houston enjoyed a 63-54 win over UCF in Orlando on Dec. 26 in a game that was rescheduled in mid-December due to COVID issues within the Cougars.
Sophomore guard Marcus Sasser led the way for the Cougars with 19 points and four 3-pointers, while senior guard DeJon Jarreau totaled 10 points with three rebounds, five assists and no turnovers.
Sasser was the star for Houston in the Cougars' most recent game. The Red Oak, Texas, native drained a career-high eight 3-pointers on the way to a career-high 28 points in the Cougars' 71-50 win over Tulane on Jan. 9 inside the Fertitta Center.
In addition to personal bests, Sasser's totals also set Fertitta Center records in both categories.
Junior guard Quentin Grimes leads the Cougars and ranks second in the American Athletic Conference with 17.7 points per game. Sasser stands fourth in the league with 16. 3 points per game, making Houston the only school with two of The American's Top-Four scorers.
The Cougars continue to lead the nation with only 54.6 points allowed per game and rank among the country's Top-10 leaders in five other categories, including opponents' field goal percentage (3rd, 36.5), offensive rebounds (5th, 15.3 orpg) and rebounding margin (9th, +10.1).
Senior forward Justin Gorham continues to lead Houston and the American Athletic Conference with 4.7 offensive rebounds per game and ranks third nationally with that total. Sasser is ninth in the nation with 3.4 3-pointers per game.
This will be the first of three straight home games for the Cougars inside the Fertitta Center this week. Following Sunday's game, the Cougars meet Tulsa at 7 p.m., Wednesday, to complete the regular-season series and meet Cincinnati for the first time in 2020-21 at 11 a.m., Saturday.
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 Sunday's game on ESPNU or the WatchESPN app with Kevin Brown (play-by-play) and Jon Crispin (analyst).
• Fans can hear Sunday's game on KPRC 950 AM or on the TuneIn app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (analyst). The pregame show begins at 2:45 p.m.
PROMOTIONS
• For Sunday's game, fans who serve as front line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic will be recognized.
• Fans who are unable to attend Sunday's game are invited to donate their tickets to front line workers. To donate, fans can visit uhcougars.com/donatetickets for more information.
ABOUT UCF
• UCF brings a 3-4 overall record and 1-3 mark in American Athletic Conference play into Sunday's game inside the Fertitta Center.
• Knights are tied for seventh with ECU, Tulane and Temple in the league standings through games of Jan. 15.
• UCF is 1-3 in road games with an 0-2 mark in American play in 2020-21.
• UCF has lost its last three games, including a 62-55 setback at Temple on Thursday afternoon
• In its most recent action, sophomore guard Darin Green Jr. and freshman forward Isaiah Adams posted 17 points apiece in the loss at Temple. Sophomore guard Dre Fuller Jr. snared a team-high 10 rebounds, while senior guard Brandon Mahan led all players with seven assists.
• This season, Mahan leads the Knights with 15.6 points per game and second on the team with 5.0 rebounds per contest... Green stand second among the Knights with 13.4 points per game, while Adams ranks third with 12.7 points per contest... Senior guard Darius Perry averages 11.8 points per game to rank fourth... Fuller leads the team with 6.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
• Head Coach Johnny Dawkins is in his fifth season as head coach at UCF and his 13th season as a collegiate head coach.
• Dawkins has built a 242-167 record during his career... Has compiled an 86-52 mark with UCF
• Previously built a 156-115 record at Stanford (2008-16).
• Dawkins is 2-6 against Houston during his career with all eight previous meetings coming during his UCF tenure.
• Dawkins has posted a 2-6 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers... All eight previous meetings coming during his UCF tenure and Sampson's Houston tenure.
UP NEXT
• Following Sunday's game, the Cougars continue their home stand when they face nr/rv Tulsa at 7 p.m., Wednesday inside the Fertitta Center.
• Game can be seen on ESPN+ and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the TuneIn app.
• Cougars will have revenge on their minds after Tulsa handed Houston its lone loss of the season with a 65-64 setback in Tulsa, Okla., on Dec. 29, 2020.
• Homestand wraps up at 11 a.m., Saturday, vs. Cincinnati in the Fertitta Center.
• Game will be shown on CBS Sports and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the TuneIn app.
JOIN the 2021-22 SEASON-TICKET PRIORITY WAIT LIST
Houston Men's Basketball fans can join the season ticket priority wait list for the 2021-22 season inside the Fertitta Center with a $75 deposit today. To place a deposit for the 2021 season, click here or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-4667).
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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