Men’s Basketball Back in Fertitta Center this Weekend

HOUSTON – Winners of its first two games to open the American Athletic Conference season, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program opens league play at home when it plays host to Wichita State at 11 a.m., Saturday, inside the Fertitta Center.

With a 2-0 mark, #12/14 Houston stands atop the latest league standings while East Carolina is a half-game back at 1-0.

Houston enters this weekend's contest following an impressive 83-66 win at South Florida on Wednesday in the team's second straight road victory.

Against the Bulls, graduate forward Josh Carlton posted a career-high 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the field and led all players with 11 rebounds, including six offensive boards. The Winterville, N.C., native became the 62nd Cougar in school history to score 30+ points in a game.

Senior guard Kyler Edwards returned to the Cougars' starting lineup with a dazzling performance after recovering from an ankle injury. The Arlington, Texas, native nearly finished with a triple-double, posting 15 points with eight rebounds and a game-high eight assists.

One game after posting a double-double at Temple, graduate forward Fabian White Jr. scored 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting and snared four rebounds with an assist and steal in the win over the Bulls.

White needs to play in only one more win for the 103^rd victory of his award-winning career. With that, he will tie point guard Galen Robinson Jr. (2015-19) for second in school history. Forward Michael Young holds the school record, competing in wins from 1980 to 1984.

ALL-TIME STARTING FIVE
As Houston Athletics celebrates its 75^th anniversary in 2021-22, the Cougars will reveal their All-Time Starting Five at halftime of Saturday's game.

Fans recently had the opportunity to vote for their favorite Cougars at point guard, shooting guard, wing, power forward and center as well as a coach.

BUY 2021-22 TICKETS
While Saturday's game vs. Wichita State has sold out, fans may still purchase tickets for the Cougars' remaining home games in 2021-22.

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.

#FIGHT4LITERACY
Saturday's game also marks the fifth straight season in which the Cougars will host a #Fight4Literacy game presented by International Paper.

Head Coach Kelvin Sampson and his staff will wear green lapel pins and wristbands on the sidelines of Saturday's game to promote childhood reading and the local literacy work of Literacy Now.

To donate or learn more, fans can visit pledgeit.org/houstonfflw21.

All funds generated at the game will stay in Houston through a grant partnership with Literacy Now. Since 2013, Coaching for Literacy has granted more than $730,000 to local literacy partners to fund initiatives like mentoring, after-school programs and providing age-appropriate books for children.

As the presenting partner of the #Fight4Literacy, International Paper has guaranteed a minimum donation of $10,000. The company will also match local donations up to $5,000. Last year, the Houston #Fight4Literacy game raised $15,725 for local literacy efforts.

A final fundraising total will be announced at the end of the season, when grants will be delivered to Coaching for Literacy's local partners.

STREAKING NATIONALLY
With Monday's release, the Cougars were ranked in the Associated Press poll for the 35^th consecutive week, tying a school record.

Houston previously appeared in the AP Top 25 for 35 straight weeks from Nov. 27, 1967, through Dec. 16, 1969. The Cougars have been ranked in every AP poll since Jan. 20, 2019.

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 WICHITA STATE
• Wichita State enters Saturday's game with a 9-4 overall record and 0-1 mark in American Athletic Conference play. The Shockers are tied for eighth in the latest league standings.
• Wichita State is 2-0 in road games in 2021-22.
• In its most recent action, Wichita State dropped an 82-64 home loss to Memphis on New Year's Day in its American Athletic Conference opener.
• Against Memphis, sophomore guard Tyson Etienne led all players with 17 points and added three steals with an assist. Junior guard Dexter Dennis totaled 16 points with five rebounds and two steals, while freshman guard Ricky Council IV came off the bench to post 10 points. Junior forward Morris Udeze led the Shockers with seven rebounds while junior guard Craig Porter Jr. and freshman forward Kenny Pohto tied for team-high honors with three assists each.
• This season, Etienne leads the team with 14.9 points per game. Udeze stands second with 11.5 points per game and tops the Shockers with 5.7 rebounds per contest. Porter leads Wichita State with 2.9 assists per game.
• Head Coach Isaac Brown is in his second season at Wichita State and as a collegiate head coach.
• Brown has compiled a 25-10 record at Wichita State and during his career.
• Brown is 1-1 against Houston during his career. He is 0-1 against Houston inside the Fertitta Center
• Brown is 1-1 against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 1995 graduate of ULM.

SERIES HISTORY vs. WICHITA STATE
• Wichita State owns an 18-15 lead in the series, which began during the 1949-50 season.
• Saturday's game is the first of two regular-season meetings in 2021-22. The two teams will play again on Feb. 20 inside Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kan.
• Houston has won six of the last seven games against the Shockers. However, Wichita State can boast of recent success after taking a 68-63 win in Wichita, Kan., on Feb. 18, 2021, in the most recent meeting.
• This marks the fifth consecutive season in which the schools will compete as American Athletic Conference rivals.
• Series started with a 72-66 Houston win in Houston on Dec. 30, 1949.
at Home: Houston owns an 11-3 record against Wichita State in Houston.
• Houston has won the last four meetings against the Shockers in Houston.
• Wichita State's last win in Houston was a 69-63 victory on Jan. 2, 1960.
• In the most recent meeting in Houston, the Cougars enjoyed a 70-63 victory inside the Fertitta Center on Jan. 6, 2021.
in Fertitta Center: Houston owns a 3-0 record against Wichita State inside the Fertitta Center.

TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Saturday's game on CBS with Rich Waltz and Clark Kellogg 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.

UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, the Cougars will take a week-long break from competition before meeting Tulsa at 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 15, inside the Reynolds Center in Tulsa., Okla. That game will air on ESPN2.
• The Cougars then return to the Fertitta Center to play two straight home games, starting 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 18, vs. South Florida and continuing at 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, vs. East Carolina.
• 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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