University of Houston Athletics
Sunday, January 2
Philadelphia, Pa.
4 p.m.
University of Houston
at
Temple
Men’s Hoops Opens American Athletic Conference Play
12/30/2021 2:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Watch (ESPN)Listen (950 AM KPRC)Listen (The Varsity Network)Live Stats (StatBroadcast)Houston Game Notes (PDF)Temple Game Notes (PDF)The American Notes (PDF)
Cougars face Temple at 4 p.m. (CST) Sunday inside Liacouras Center in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA – Following an unexpected break in its schedule, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program opens the year 2022 and begins American Athletic Conference play when it faces Temple at 4 p.m. (CST) Sunday, inside the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.
Sunday's game will be Houston's first action since an 80-47 win over Texas State on Dec. 22 inside the Fertitta Center. Houston's scheduled American opener vs. Cincinnati on Tuesday was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols inside the Cougar program. Coaches and administrators from both schools are working to find a compatible makeup date.
In addition to the COVID issues, the Cougars recently endured another challenge when junior guard Marcus Sasser was lost for the season with a foot injury. He became the second Cougar to be lost for the year, joining sophomore guard Tramon Mark (shoulder).
In the win over Texas State graduate forward Fabian White Jr. became only the third Cougar in school history to compete in 100 victories during his collegiate career. The Atascocita, Texas, native joined Michael Young (109 wins, 1980-84) and Galen Robinson Jr. (103 wins, 2015-19) as the only Cougars to reach triple digits.
White stands third among the Cougars with 10.2 points per game and is snaring 5.5 rebounds per contest.
Senior guard Kyler Edwards stands second on the team with 12.5 points per game while sophomore forward J'Wan Roberts leads the Cougars and ranks fourth in The American with 7.0 rebounds per contest, including a league-best 2.9 offensive rebounds per game.
Houston looks for its fifth straight win against Temple. This marks the ninth straight season the Cougars will face the Owls as American Athletic Conference rivals.
ABOUT TEMPLE
• Temple enters Sunday's game with a 7-5 overall record and an 0-1 mark in American Athletic Conference play.
• Temple is 5-2 in home games inside the Liacouras Center this season.
• In its most recent game, Temple claimed an 85-48 home win over Delaware State on Wednesday. It was the Owls' sixth win in their last eight games and snapped a two-game losing streak.
• Against Delaware State, freshman forward Zach Hicks set a school record with 10 3-pointers on the way to a game-high 35 points. He tied with redshirt freshman guard Damian Dunn for game-high honors with seven rebounds apiece.
• Dunn finished with 18 points and added five assists. Freshman guard Jeremiah Williams posted seven points with a game-high nine assists in the win.
• This season, Khalif Battle leads the Owls with 21.4 points per game but was lost for the season in early December with a foot injury. Dunn stands second with 13.6 points per game and leads Temple with 5.2 rebounds per contest. Williams is tops on the team with 4.7 assists per game.
• Head Coach Aaron McKie is in his third season at Temple and as a collegiate head coach.
• McKie has compiled a 26-33 record at Temple during his career.
• McKie is 0-3 against Houston and Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 1994 graduate of Temple.
SERIES HISTORY vs. TEMPLE
• Houston owns a 10-3 lead in the series, which began during the 2013-14 season, the first year the schools competed as American Athletic Conference rivals.
• This marks the ninth consecutive season in which the schools will compete as American rivals.
• Series started with an 88-74 Houston win inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Feb. 9, 2014. It was the first of two straight Cougar wins to open the series.
• Houston has won the last four games and seven of the last eight. Only a 73-69 Temple win on Jan. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
on Road: Houston owns a 5-2 record against Temple in Philadelphia
• Houston has won the last two meetings in Philadelphia and four of the last five. Only a 73-69 Temple win inside the Liacouras Center on Jan. 9, 2019, prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
• In the most recent road meeting, Houston claimed a 68-51 victory inside the Liacouras Center on Jan. 23, 2021.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Sunday's game on ESPN with Kevin Brown and Jon Crispin calling the action.
• Fans can hear Sundays game on 950 AM KPRC or on The Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes calling the action.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com or by clicking here.
UP NEXT
• Following Sunday's game, the Cougars continue their road swing when they face South Florida at 6 p.m. (CST), Wednesday, Jan. 5, inside the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Fla. That game will air on ESPN+.
• Houston returns to the Fertitta Center to play host to Wichita State at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 8. That game will air on CBS.
• From there, Houston meets takes on Tulsa at 7 p.m., Jan. 15, inside the Reynolds Center in Tulsa., Okla. That game will air on ESPN2
• All Houston Men's Basketball games 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 (4687).
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.
Sunday's game will be Houston's first action since an 80-47 win over Texas State on Dec. 22 inside the Fertitta Center. Houston's scheduled American opener vs. Cincinnati on Tuesday was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols inside the Cougar program. Coaches and administrators from both schools are working to find a compatible makeup date.
In addition to the COVID issues, the Cougars recently endured another challenge when junior guard Marcus Sasser was lost for the season with a foot injury. He became the second Cougar to be lost for the year, joining sophomore guard Tramon Mark (shoulder).
In the win over Texas State graduate forward Fabian White Jr. became only the third Cougar in school history to compete in 100 victories during his collegiate career. The Atascocita, Texas, native joined Michael Young (109 wins, 1980-84) and Galen Robinson Jr. (103 wins, 2015-19) as the only Cougars to reach triple digits.
White stands third among the Cougars with 10.2 points per game and is snaring 5.5 rebounds per contest.
Senior guard Kyler Edwards stands second on the team with 12.5 points per game while sophomore forward J'Wan Roberts leads the Cougars and ranks fourth in The American with 7.0 rebounds per contest, including a league-best 2.9 offensive rebounds per game.
Houston looks for its fifth straight win against Temple. This marks the ninth straight season the Cougars will face the Owls as American Athletic Conference rivals.
ABOUT TEMPLE
• Temple enters Sunday's game with a 7-5 overall record and an 0-1 mark in American Athletic Conference play.
• Temple is 5-2 in home games inside the Liacouras Center this season.
• In its most recent game, Temple claimed an 85-48 home win over Delaware State on Wednesday. It was the Owls' sixth win in their last eight games and snapped a two-game losing streak.
• Against Delaware State, freshman forward Zach Hicks set a school record with 10 3-pointers on the way to a game-high 35 points. He tied with redshirt freshman guard Damian Dunn for game-high honors with seven rebounds apiece.
• Dunn finished with 18 points and added five assists. Freshman guard Jeremiah Williams posted seven points with a game-high nine assists in the win.
• This season, Khalif Battle leads the Owls with 21.4 points per game but was lost for the season in early December with a foot injury. Dunn stands second with 13.6 points per game and leads Temple with 5.2 rebounds per contest. Williams is tops on the team with 4.7 assists per game.
• Head Coach Aaron McKie is in his third season at Temple and as a collegiate head coach.
• McKie has compiled a 26-33 record at Temple during his career.
• McKie is 0-3 against Houston and Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 1994 graduate of Temple.
SERIES HISTORY vs. TEMPLE
• Houston owns a 10-3 lead in the series, which began during the 2013-14 season, the first year the schools competed as American Athletic Conference rivals.
• This marks the ninth consecutive season in which the schools will compete as American rivals.
• Series started with an 88-74 Houston win inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Feb. 9, 2014. It was the first of two straight Cougar wins to open the series.
• Houston has won the last four games and seven of the last eight. Only a 73-69 Temple win on Jan. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
on Road: Houston owns a 5-2 record against Temple in Philadelphia
• Houston has won the last two meetings in Philadelphia and four of the last five. Only a 73-69 Temple win inside the Liacouras Center on Jan. 9, 2019, prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
• In the most recent road meeting, Houston claimed a 68-51 victory inside the Liacouras Center on Jan. 23, 2021.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Sunday's game on ESPN with Kevin Brown and Jon Crispin calling the action.
• Fans can hear Sundays game on 950 AM KPRC or on The Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes calling the action.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com or by clicking here.
UP NEXT
• Following Sunday's game, the Cougars continue their road swing when they face South Florida at 6 p.m. (CST), Wednesday, Jan. 5, inside the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Fla. That game will air on ESPN+.
• Houston returns to the Fertitta Center to play host to Wichita State at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 8. That game will air on CBS.
• From there, Houston meets takes on Tulsa at 7 p.m., Jan. 15, inside the Reynolds Center in Tulsa., Okla. That game will air on ESPN2
• All Houston Men's Basketball games 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 (4687).
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
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballPOSTGAME – vs Jackson State (December 10, 2025)
Wednesday, December 10
PREVIEW – Coach Kelvin Sampson vs. Jackson State (December 8, 2025)
Monday, December 08
HIGHLIGHTS – vs Florida State (December 6, 2025)
Sunday, December 07
POSTGAME – vs Florida State (December 6, 2025)
Saturday, December 06