#3 Men’s Basketball Opens #AmericanHoops Play at Tulsa

TULSA, Okla. – After posting a 12-1 record in non-conference play, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program opens its American Athletic Conference schedule when it meets Tulsa at 8 p.m., Wednesday, inside the Reynolds Center in Tulsa, Okla.

The Cougars enter their conference opener as winners of their last three games, including an 83-44 decision over McNeese in the non-conference regular-season finale inside the Fertitta Center on Dec. 21.

In that game, sophomore center Ja'Vier Francis scored a career-high 23 points with 13 rebounds for his team-leading third double-double of the season while redshirt freshman guard Emanuel Sharp added a career-high 18 points, thanks to six 3-pointers.

For their impressive performances, Sharp and Francis earned their first weekly awards from the American Athletic Conference on Monday. Sharp was named the league's Freshman of the Week while Francis earned a place on the Honor Roll.

Wednesday's game marks the 63rd season of conference play in. Houston Men's Basketball history. The Cougars have posted a 37-25 record in conference openers in school history and won 14 of their last 15 conference openers in The American and Conference USA.

BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
Fans may purchase single-game tickets for the Cougars' 18 regular-season home games inside the Fertitta Center. Supplies are limited, and fans are encouraged to purchase soon before they run out.

To purchase single-game tickets, fans may call the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours or click here any time.

For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out of their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.

Fans who were unable to purchase season tickets in 2022-23 are invited to join the team's 2023-24 Wait List as the Cougars prepare to enter the Big 12 Conference. To join the 2023-24 season tickets Wait List, fans can click here.

TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Wednesday's game on ESPNU with John Schriffen (play-by-play) and Mark Adams (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Wednesday's game on 950 AM KPRC or The Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) calling the action. The pregame show begins at 7:45 p.m.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.

CONFERENCE OPENERS
• Wednesday's game will be the 63rd conference opener in Houston Basketball history. The Cougars have posted a 37-25 in their conference opener history.
• The Cougars have won their last seven conference openers (all in the American Athletic Conference) and 14 of their last 15. Only a 73-54 loss at Memphis on Dec. 31, 2014 prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
• Wednesday's game will be the first time Houston has opened American Athletic Conference play against Tulsa.
• Houston has posted an 8-1 record in conference openers in the American Athletic Conference, a 7-10 mark in Conference USA, an 11-10 record in the Southwest Conference, an 8-2 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference, a 1-0 record in the Gulf Coast Conference and a 2-2 record in the Lone Star Conference.
in American Athletic Conference: Houston has posted an 8-1 record in conference openers during its American Athletic Conference history.
• The Cougars have won eight of their nine American openers. Only a 73-54 loss at Memphis on Dec. 31, 2014 prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
• In their most recent American Athletic Conference opener, Houston claimed a 66-61 win at Temple on Jan. 2, 2022.

ABOUT TULSA
• Tulsa brings a 4-7 record in 2022-23 into Wednesday's game. The Golden Hurricane are 3-2 in home games this season.
• Like Houston, Wednesday's game will be Tulsa's American Athletic Conference opener.
• Entering Wednesday's contest, Tulsa has won two of its last three games. However, the Golden Hurricane dropped a 76-64 decision at Loyola Marymount on Dec. 21 in their most recent action.
• Against Loyola Marymount, guard Sam Griffin led the Golden Hurricane with 13 points on 6-of-14 shooting. Guard Anthony Pritchard added 12 points with a team-high five assists , while forward Bryant Selebangue totaled 10 points and tied with forward Tim Dalger for team-high honors with seven rebounds. Guard Brandon Betson came off the bench to post 10 points and a rebound.
• This season, Griffin leads Tulsa with 15.0 points per game and ranks second on the team with 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Betson stands second with 11.5 points and 2.1 assists per game. Selebangue averages 10.8 points per game to rank third but leads Tulsa with 8.0 rebounds per game.
• Head Coach Eric Konkol is in his first season at Tulsa and his eighth season as a collegiate head coach.
• Konkol has built a 4-7 record at Tulsa... Previously compiled a 153-75 mark at Louisiana Tech (2015-22).
• Wednesday's game will be the first time Konkol has faced Houston during his career.
• Wednesday's game will be the first time Konkol has faced Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 2000 graduate of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

SERIES HISTORY vs. TULSA
• Houston owns a 30-29 lead in the series, which began during the 1950-51 season.
• Wednesday's game will be the first of two regular-season meetings in 2022-23. Tulsa visits the Fertitta Center on Feb. 8, 2023.
• The Cougars have won the last two and three of the last four meetings against Tulsa. Only a 65-64 loss at Tulsa on Dec. 29, 2020, prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
• Houston faced Tulsa only once during the 2021-22 season with the Cougars enjoying a 66-64 win in Tulsa, Okla., on Jan. 15, 2022.
• This marks the ninth consecutive season and 17th in the last 18 years in which the two teams will play at least once.
• Teams have been conference rivals in three leagues... Competed in Missouri Valley Conference from 1950-51 through 1959-60 season and played twice each year through 1962-63 season after Houston began competition as an independent.
• Competed as Conference USA rivals from 2005-06 season through 2012-13... Began playing as American Athletic Conference rivals during the 2014-15 season.
• Series began with a 50-45 Tulsa win in Houston on Feb. 10, 1951.
on Road: Tulsa owns an 18-10 lead
• In the most recent meeting in Tulsa, Houston claimed a 66-64 win inside the Reynolds Center on Jan. 15, 2022.
• That win snapped the Cougars' two-game road losing streak at Tulsa and was the program's first road win against the Golden Hurricane since a 77-65 victory on Jan. 27, 2019.

UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, Houston begins its league schedule in the Fertitta Center when they it plays host to UCF at 1 p.m., Saturday. That game will air on ESPN+.
• From there, the Cougars stay in Houston to meet SMU at 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 5, inside the Fertitta Center. That game will air on ESPN2.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.

SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference.

Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.

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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