Men’s Basketball Returns to Action at UCF this Weekend

ORLANDO – Winners of 13 of its last 14 games, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program returns to action after a week-long break when it meets American Athletic Conference rival UCF at 7 p.m. (CST), Saturday, inside Addition Financial Arena.

The Cougars enter this weekend's contest following a 79-36 win over East Carolina inside the Fertitta Center on Saturday. Houston limited the Pirates to only eight field goals and 1-of-19 3-point shooting while holding ECU to the third-fewest points scored in The American history.

With that win, Houston enjoyed its 36^th straight home win for the nation's fourth-longest active streak and recorded its ninth straight victory overall.

Senior guard Kyler Edwards leads the available Cougars with 14.4 points per game and is a close second with 5.9 rebounds per contest. After averaging 24.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game in home wins over South Florida and East Carolina, he was honored as The American Player of the Week for the second straight week.

Graduate forward Josh Carlton leads the Cougars with 5.9 rebounds per game and tops Houston and the league with 3.4 offensive rebounds per contest.

Sophomore point guard Jamal Shead leads the Cougars and The American with 5.3 assists per contest. The Manor, Texas, native moved into triple-digit assists for the season after dishing out five assists in Saturday's win over East Carolina and is eighth in the nation with a 3.13 assist-turnover ratio.

COACHES vs. CANCER SUITS and SNEAKERS
• For Saturday's game, Head Coach Kelvin Sampson and his staff will be wearing a specially designed polo and pullover with their sneakers as part of Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Week.
• This nationwide event unites coaches from across the country to raise funds and awareness about the fight against cancer and promote the American Cancer Society as a source of inspiration and hope.
• Funds raised will support the American Cancer Society's work to help patients and survivors safely resume treatments and screenings and contribute in a meaningful way to the mission to end cancer.

TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Saturday's game on ESPN2 with Mike Corey (play-by-play) and Robbie Hummel (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Saturday's 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 and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.

MILESTONES
• Graduate forwards Josh Carlton and Fabian White Jr. are closing in on the 1,000-point milestone in their award-winning careers.
• Carlton needs only 29 points to reach that total. The Winterville, N.C., native scored 746 points during his UConn career (2017-21) and has scored 225 points in his first 17 games at Houston this season.
• White is 31 points away from 1,000 points and becoming the 49^th player in school history to reach that total during his career.
• They would be the third and fourth Cougars to reach quadruple digits during their careers this season. Senior guard Kyler Edwards reached 1,000 points in Houston's Dec. 18 win over Oklahoma State in Fort Worth, Texas, while graduate guard Taze Moore hit the total against South Florida on Jan. 18.

STREAKING NATIONALLY
With Monday's release, the Cougars were ranked in the Associated Press poll for the 38^th consecutive week, extending their school record. Houston has been ranked in every AP poll since Jan. 20, 2019.

It also marks the 89^th week in which the Cougars appeared in the Top 10 in program history.

This is the fifth straight season under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson in which the Cougars were ranked for at least one week. Houston finished at No. 6 in the final AP and at No. 3 in the final Ferris Mowers Coaches polls a year ago after advancing to the sixth NCAA Final Four in school history.

ABOUT UCF
• UCF enters Saturday's game with a 12-6 overall record and 4-4 mark in American Athletic Conference play. The Knights are tied with Memphis for sixth in the latest league standings.
• UCF has posted an 8-2 record in home games this season.
• In its most recent action, UCF dropped an 84-79 decision at Wichita State on Wednesday night. That loss snapped the Knight's two-game winning streak.
• Against Wichita State, graduate guard Brandon Mahan led UCF with 20 points and 13 rebounds... Freshman guard Darius Johnson and junior forward C.J. Walker each came off the bench to post 12 and 11 points, respectively, while graduate guard Darius Perry totaled 10 points with eight rebounds and a game-high six assists.
• This season, junior guard Darin Green Jr. leads UCF with 13.3 points per game. Perry stands second on the team with 11.1 points per game but leads the team with 4.7 assists per contest. Mahan ranks third among the Knights with 10.8 points per game. Walker tops UCF with 5.0 rebounds per game.
• Head Coach Johnny Dawkins is in his sixth season overall at UCF and his 14th season as a collegiate head coach.
• Dawkins has compiled a 106-66 record at UCF and is 262-181 during his career... Previously built a 156-115 record at Stanford (2008-16).
• Dawkins is 2-7 against Houston during his career with all nine previous meetings coming during his UCF stint.
• Dawkins is 2-7 against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers with all nine previous meetings coming during his UCF stint.
• 1986 graduate of Duke.

SERIES HISTORY vs. UCF
• Houston owns an 18-11 lead against UCF in the series, which began during the 2005-06 season.
• Saturday's game is the first of two meetings during the regular season between the two schools.
• Houston has won the last three and seven of the last eight games against the Knights.
• Only a 69-64 UCF win in Fertitta Center on March 2, 2019, prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
• In the most recent meeting, Houston enjoyed a 75-58 win inside the Fertitta Center on Jan. 17, 2021.
• This marks the 17th consecutive season in which the schools will compete as conference rivals... Schools have played as American Athletic Conference rivals at least once every season since 2013-14.
• Series started with a 66-56 UCF win inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Jan. 14, 2006.
on Road: The series against UCF is tied at 6-6.
• Houston has won its last three road game and four of the last five against the Knights in Orlando.
• Only a 77-70 UCF win on Jan. 14, 2017, in Orlando prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
• In the most recent road meeting, claimed a 63-54 win in Orlando in Dec. 26, 2020.
in Orlando: Houston owns a 7-6 lead in the series in games played in Orlando.
• Houston has won its last four games in Orlando.
• The Cougars claimed an 84-56 win in the American Athletic Conference Championship on March 9, 2018, in the most recent neutral-site meeting.

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.

UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, the Cougars open the month of February when they plays host to Tulane at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 2, inside the Fertitta Center. That game will air on ESPN+.
• From there, Houston embarks on a two-game road swing.
• That journey begins at 5 p.m. (CST), Sunday, Feb. 6 at Cincinnati inside Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati. That game will air on ESPN2.
• From there, Houston takes on SMU at 6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 9, inside Moody Coliseum in Dallas. That game will air on ESPN2 or ESPNU.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games 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 (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.

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