Houston Faces Tulane on Saturday in Fertitta Center

Saturday, January 9

Houston

3 p.m.

University of Houston

Tulane

Houston Faces Tulane on Saturday in Fertitta Center

1/8/2021 9:08:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Watch (ESPNU | Watch ESPN app)Listen (950 AM KPRC)Listen (TuneIn)Live Stats Houston Game Notes (PDF)Tulane Game Notes (PDF)The American Notes (PDF)

Cougars tip off vs. Green Wave at 3 p.m., Saturday, in Houston

HOUSTON – Winners of nine of its first 10 games to open the season, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program returns to action when it plays host to American Athletic Conference rival Tulane at 3 p.m., Saturday, inside the Fertitta Center.

Fans should note the new starting time for Saturday's game. The time was moved up earlier this week from earlier published schedules.

No. 11/11 Houston enters this weekend's contest following a come-from-behind win over Wichita State on Wednesday inside the Fertitta Center.

Trailing by double digits early in the second half, the Cougars used a 16-0 run to grab the lead for good and never looked back in improving to 9-1 overall and 4-1 in American Athletic Conference play.

Over the last six games, senior forward Justin Gorham is averaging 8.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. His numbers include a 16-rebound effort against Alcorn State (Dec. 20) and back-to-back double-doubles at rv/rv SMU (11-19, Jan. 3) and vs. Wichita State (14-10, Jan. 6).

He leads The American with 8.9 rebounds and 4.9 offensive boards per contest and ranks second nationally with his offensive rebounding average.

Junior guard Quentin Grimes continues to lead the Cougars and rank second in The American with 18.1 points per game and is one of only three players to rank among The American's Top-Nine leaders in both scoring and rebounding.

The Cougars will play four of their next five games inside the friendly confines of the Fertitta Center. Senior forward Brison Gresham is the only Cougar to compete in all 38 games to date inside the $60 million facility, posting an impressive 35-3 record there.

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.

Salute to Service, vs. Tulane (Jan 9, 2021)

Salute to Service, vs. Tulane (Jan 9, 2021)

PROMOTIONS
• Saturday's game will be part of Houston Athletics annual Salute to Service.
• Veterans from all military branches will be recognized throughout the game.
• Fans who are unable to attend Saturday's game are invited to donate their tickets to a veteran by visiting uhcougars.com/donatetickets.

TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Saturday's game on ESPNU or the WatchESPN app with Bob Ford (play-by-play) and Lance Blanks (analyst).
• Fans can hear Saturday'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.

ABOUT TULANE
• Tulane brings a 6-2 overall record and 1-2 mark in American Athletic Conference play into Saturday's game inside Fertitta Center.
• Green Wave is tied for seventh in the league with ECU and UCF.
• Tulane is 0-1 in road games this season.
• Green Wave has alternated wins and losses in its last five games.
• In its most recent action, Tulane enjoyed a 60-56 win over ECU inside Devlin Fieldhouse in New Orleans on Saturday.
• Against ECU, sophomore guard Jaylen Forbes led all players with 20 points and five steals and drained three 3-pointers... Junior guard Jordan Walker totaled 10 points with three rebounds and three steals, while sophomore forward Kevin Cross led the Green Wave with seven rebounds.
• This season, Forbes leads Tulane with 15.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game... Walker stands second on the team with 12.4 points per game and leads the Green Wave with 4.0 assists per contest... Junior guard Gabe Watson ranks third among the Green Wave with 10.3 points per game.
• Head Coach Ron Hunter is in his second season as head coach at Tulane and his 27th season as a collegiate head coach.
• Hunter has built a 463-334 record during his career... Is 18-20 as Tulane's head coach.
• Previously built a 171-95 record at Georgia State (2011-19) and was 274-219 at IUPUI (1994-11).
• Hunter has posted an 0-3 record against Houston during his career... Is 0-1 against the Cougars as Tulane's head coach... Previously was 0-1 against Houston with Georgia State and with IUPUI.
• Hunter has posted an 0-3 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.

UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, the Cougars face USF at 6 p.m. (CST) Thursday, inside the Yuengling Center, in Tampa, Fla... Game can be seen on ESPN/ESPN2 and heard on 950 AM KPRC and the TuneIn app.
• From there, Houston returns to the Fertitta Center for three straight home games, beginning at 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 17, against UCF... Game can be seen on ESPNU and heard on 950 AM KPRC and the TuneIn app.
• Homestand continues against nr/rv Tulsa (7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 20) and Cincinnati (11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 23).

JOIN THE 2021-22 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 –