Men’s Hoops Opens Season vs. Hofstra on Tuesday

Marcus Sasser, Kyler Edwards, Taze Moore, Hofstra preview

HOUSTON – Fresh off a big exhibition win, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program opens its 2021-22 season when it meets Hofstra for the first time at 7 p.m., Tuesday, inside the Fertitta Center.

No. 15/14 Houston enters its season opener following a resounding 78-51 win over Montana Tech on Saturday afternoon inside the Fertitta Center. Junior guard Marcus Sasser led all players with 21 points and five 3-pointers, while the senior frontcourt of Fabian White Jr. and Josh Carlton combined for 33 points and 15 rebounds against the Orediggers.

Sophomore point guard Jamal Shead led the Cougars with seven assists and five steals with only one turnover in more than 27 minutes of action.

Tuesday's game will be the first of 17 regular-season home games for the Cougars in 2021-22 inside the Fertitta Center. A year ago, Houston posted a perfect 15-0 record, only the 10^th undefeated home season in school history and the first in the Cougars' $60 million home.

Houston owns the nation's fourth-longest home winning streak dating back to the 2019-20 season. The Cougars trail only Gonzaga (51), Liberty (36) and Prairie View A&M (35).

This will be the first of three straight home games to open the season for the Cougars with Rice (7 p.m., Friday) and No. 25/25 Virginia (7 p.m., Nov. 16) visiting the Fertitta Center during the next nine days.

Promotions, Keychain giveaway

FINAL FOUR BANNER UNVEILING
• Prior to the starting lineup announcement, the Cougars will unveil the program's 2021 NCAA Final Four banner to hang on the concourse walls on the Cullen Boulevard side of the Fertitta Center. Fans should prepare to be in their seats around 6:52 p.m., for this special event.
• It will be the sixth banner to hang inside the Fertitta Center, joining the 1984, 1983, 1982, 1968 and 1967 banners.

PROMOTIONS
• Fans will want to arrive early as the first 5,000 fans will receive a free replica Final Four Banner key chain upon entering the Fertitta Center.
• Houston Track and Field's Priscilla Adejokun will perform the national anthem with 12:00 remaining on the pregame countdown clock.
• The Spirit of Houston Drum Line will perform at halftime.

SEASON OPENER HISTORY
• Houston is 56-20 record in season openers during its history.
• The Cougars have won their last 12 and 16 of their last 17 season openers... Only a 65-63 loss to Georgia Southern on the first day of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer in Durham, N.C., on Nov. 11, 2008, inside Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium prevents a longer streak.
• Houston has won handily in recent history, winning its last 12 season openers by an average of 26.8 points per game (322 points in 12 games).
• Under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, Houston has won each of its last six season openers by 28+ points.

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.

HOOP HYPE XL TICKETS
Fans also have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the Cougars' Dec. 18 game against rv/rv Oklahoma State inside Dickies Arena in the Hoop Hype XL | College Basketball Showcase in Fort Worth, Texas. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.

That game will be part of a doubleheader with Colorado State facing Tulsa at 2:30 p.m., Dec. 18. Tickets – which cover both games – begin at $70 plus fees with options for floor seating. Fans are encouraged to buy their tickets soon before supplies run out.

To purchase Hoop Hype XL tickets, fans can click here anytime or call the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-462-6647 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.

TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Tuesday's game on ESPN+ with Matt Thomas and Houston great Reid Gettys 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.

ABOUT HOFSTRA
• Like Houston, Tuesday's game will be the season opener for Hofstra.
• In 2020-21, Hofstra posted a 13-10 overall record with an 8-6 mark for a fourth-place finish in the Colonial Athletic Association.
• Graduate guard Jalen Ray is the Pride's leading returning scorer in 2021-22 after averaging a team-best 19.3 points per game. Sophomore forward Kvonn Cramer posted 6.7 boards per contest a year go and is Hofstra's leading returning rebounder. Guard Caleb Burgess averaged a team-best 5.6 assists per game last season and returns for his junior season.
• Head Coach Speedy Claxton is in his first season as head coach at Hofstra and as a collegiate head coach.
• Saturday's game will be the first time Claxton has faced Houston or Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during his career.
• Claxton served for eight seasons (2013-21) as assistant coach on the Hofstra staff before being elevated to head coach in April 2021.
• After competing as a student-athlete at Hofstra (1996-00), played for 10 years in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Hornets and Atlanta Hawks.
• 2000 graduate of Hofstra.

UP NEXT
• Houston continues its homestand when it plays host to Rice at 7 p.m., Friday, inside the Fertitta Center.
• Game can be seen on ESPN+ and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
• From there, the Cougars wrap up their home stand when they face Virginia at 7 p.m., Nov. 16, against Virginia
• That game features two of the nation's Top-Three winningest teams since 2017-18... Cougars (111) and Cavaliers (107) trail only Gonzaga (127) during that stretch.
• Game will be shown on ESPN and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.

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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Players Mentioned

Josh Carlton

Marcus Sasser

Jamal Shead

Fabian White Jr.

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