Men’s Hoops Meets Butler in Maui Jim Maui Invitational 1st Round

LAS VEGAS – For the first time in 20 years, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program will compete at the Maui Jim Maui Invitational when it meets –/rv Butler at 3:30 p.m. (CST) Monday inside Michelob ULTRA Arena.

The Cougars enter the tournament following an impressive 67-47 win over rv/#25 Virginia inside the Fertitta Center on Tuesday night.

Against the Cavaliers, junior guard Marcus Sasser led all players with 19 points, four assists and three steals, while senior guard Kyler Edwards poured in 18 points, thanks to 5-of-6 shooting from the 3-point line, in front of 7,051 fans, the fourth-largest crowd in Fertitta Center history

Sasser continues to lead the Cougars and rank second in the American Athletic Conference with 23.3 points per game. He stands 15^th nationally with that total.

Sophomore forward J'Wan Roberts leads Houston and the league with 10.3 rebounds per contest and is the only player to rank among the league's Top-Three leaders in both offensive and defensive rebounding.

The tournament was originally scheduled to be played in Hawai'i this week, but COVID-19 concerns within the state prompted the event's relocation.

This is the second tournament in which Houston plays in the last five seasons, which was relocated. In 2017, the Paradise Jam was moved to Lynchburg, Va., after Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria devastated the U.S. Virgin Islands.

TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Monday's game on ESPN2 with Dan Shulman and Jay Bilas calling the action.
• Fans can hear the game on 950 AM KPRC or on The Varsity Network with Jeremy Branham and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes calling the action.

REGULAR-SEASON TOURNAMENT HISTORY
• After capturing the Southwest Showcase championship with wins over Boise State and No. 14/13 Texas Tech in November 2021, Houston improved to 131-67 (.662) in regular-season tournaments.
• This marked the seventh straight season in which the Cougars competed in a regular-season tournament... It also was the third straight year in which Houston won a regular-season tournament title.
• In 2019-20, Houston reeled off three straight wins over Portland, Georgia Tech and No. 21/20 Washington to capture the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic title in Honolulu. In 2018-19, the Cougars went 4-0 during the Men Against Breast Cancer Cougar Cup to win the championship with a 76-62 win at BYU in the title game.
• The Southwest Showcase was the 52nd different regular-season tournament in which Houston competed.
• at Maui Jim Maui Invitational: This is Houston's second appearance at the Maui Jim Maui Invitational in school history. Houston has posted a 1-2 record at the tournament in its history.
• This is Houston first appearance at the Maui Jim Maui Invitational since the 2001 tournament.
• Cougars opened the 2001-02 season at the tournament with back-to-back losses against No. 5/4 UCLA and No. 4/3 Kansas before defeating Chaminade 76-73 in the tournament finale.

SERIES HISTORY vs. BUTLER
• Monday's game will be the first time Houston has faced Butler in Men's Basketball.

ABOUT BUTLER
• Butler enters Monday's game with a 3-1 record.
• Monday's game will be the Bulldogs' first road game of the 2021-22 season.
• Butler received one vote in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll to tie for 45th in the Preseason poll.
• Butler enters Monday's game following a 73-52 home loss to rv/rv Michigan State on Wednesday.
• Against Michigan State, Ty Groce came off the bench to lead the Bulldogs with 15 points, eight rebounds and two steals... Guard Chuck Harris totaled 13 points with four assists and two rebounds.
• Head Coach LaVall Jordan is in his fifth season at Butler and his sixth season as a collegiate head coach.
• Jordan has compiled an 83-80 record during his career and is 72-56 at Butler... Previously posted an 11-24 record at Milwaukee (2016-17).
• Monday's game will be Jordan's first meeting against Houston
• Monday's game will be the first time Jordan has faced Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 2001 graduate of Butler.

UP NEXT
• Houston's second-day opponent and game-time will be determined by the results from Monday's First Round.
• With a win against Butler, the Cougars advance to face the winner of Texas A&M/Wisconsin at 4 p.m. (CST) Tuesday.
• That game would air on ESPN and would be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
• With a loss against Butler, the Cougars meet the loser of Texas A&M/Wisconsin at 1:30 p.m. (CST) Tuesday.
• That game would air on ESPN2 and would be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
• The Cougars close out the tournament on Wednesday against Chaminade/Notre Dame/Oregon/Saint Mary's at a time to be determined.
• That game will air on the ESPN family of networks and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.

BUY 2021-22 TICKETS
To purchase single-game tickets, fans may click here anytime or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours.

2022-23 SEASON TICKETS PRIORITY WAIT LIST
Fans who were unable to secure 2021-22 season tickets may start preparing for next season by putting down a $75 deposit and placing their names on the 2022-23 Men's Basketball Season Ticket Priority Wait List by clicking here.

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 –

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