#3 Men’s Basketball Faces UCF on Saturday Afternoon

HOUSTON – Fresh off its biggest conference road win in program history, the third-ranked University of Houston Men's Basketball program opens its league schedule inside the Fertitta Center when it plays host to UCF at 1 p.m., Saturday.

Houston enters this weekend's game following an 89-50 win at Tulsa in the league opener for both teams on Wednesday night. Junior forward J'Wan Roberts led all players with 15 points, thanks to 7-of-7 shooting from the field, and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds to lead four Cougars in double-digit points.

It was the seventh biggest conference win for Houston in any league, but it was the largest margin of victory on the road. The 39-point win topped the previous school record of 36 in a 76-40 win at Rice (Jan. 26, 1983) and a 109-73 win at Rice (Feb. 8, 1977).

Through Dec. 28, Houston leads the nation in scoring defense (49.9 ppg) and field-goal percentage defense (32.8), ranks among the Top Five in 3-point field goal percentage defense (23.7, 2nd), scoring margin (+25.4, 3rd) and winning percentage (92.9, 4th), and stands among the Top 25 in turnover margin (+5.4, 13th), turnover (10.4, 15th), rebounding margin (+8.4, 17th), blocked shots (5.3, 23rd) and offensive rebounds (13.1, 24th).

In addition to their NCAA statistical rankings, the Cougars also lead the nation in the NCAA NET rankings, KenPom.com efficiency margin and ESPN BPI through Dec. 28.

Junior point guard Jamal Shead is one of only six players to rank among the nation's Top-22 leaders in both assists per game (5.6 apg, 22nd) and assist-turnover ratio (3.12, 20th). Shead joined Penn State's Jalen Pickett (7.8 apg, 3rd; 4.65, 1st); Kansas State's Markquis Nowell (8.3 apg, 2nd; 3.12, 19th); Kansas' Dajuan Harris (6.6 apg, 6th; 3.29, 13th); Creighton's Ryan Nembhard (5.9 apg, 14th; 3.15, 16th) and Marquette's Tyler Kolek (7.5, 4th; 3.09, 21st) in that select company.

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 Saturday's game on ESPN+ with Matt Pedersen (play-by-play) and Adam Wexler (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Saturday's game on 950 AM KPRC or The Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Houston Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes calling the action. The pregame show begins at 12:45 p.m.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.

ABOUT UCF
• UCF brings a 10-3 overall record and 1-0 mark in American Athletic Conference action in 2022-23 into Saturday's game. The Knights are tied for first with Temple in the latest league standings.
• UCF owns a 1-0 record in road games this season.
• UCF has won its last two games and five of its last six. Only a 68-66 loss against Missouri on Dec. 17 prevents a longer streak.
• In its most recent action, the Knights claimed a 52-45 win over Wichita State in Orlando on Wednesday night.
• Against Wichita State, sophomore guard Darius Johnson led all players with 15 points and grabbed five rebounds with four steals. Senior guard C.J. Kelly finished with a game-high seven rebounds while fifth-year forward Michael Durr added four assists in the win.
• This season, freshman guard Taylor Hendricks leads UCF with 14.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Johnson stands second with 11.8 points per game and leads the team with 4.5 assists per contest. Kelly averages 10.7 points per game to rank third while senior guard Ithiel Horton is a close fourth with 10.6 points per game.
• Head Coach Johnny Dawkins is in his seventh season UCF and his 15th season as a collegiate head coach.
• Dawkins has built a 122-75 record at UCF... Previously compiled a 156-115 mark at Stanford (2008-16).
• Dawkins has posted a 2-9 record against Houston during his career. All 11 previous meetings against the Cougars have come during his UCF tenure.
• Dawkins has posted a 2-9 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 1986 graduate of Duke.

SERIES HISTORY vs. UCF
• Houston owns a 30-29 lead in the series, which began during the 2005-06 season.
• Saturday's game is the first of two regular-season meetings in 2022-23. Houston travels to meet the Knights inside Addition Financial Arena in Orlando on Jan. 25, 2023.
• The Cougars have won the last five and nine of the last 10 against UCF. Only a 69-64 loss inside the Fertitta Center on March 2, 2019, prevents a longer Houston winning streak. With that win, UCF became the first team to defeat the Cougars inside the Fertitta Center.
• A year ago, Houston swept the regular-season series against the Knights. The Cougars claimed a 63-49 win in Orlando on Jan. 29, 2022, and followed that with a 70-52 victory inside the Fertitta Center on Feb. 17, 2022, in the most recent meeting.
• Saturday's game marks the 17th straight season in which the two schools will play at least once.
• Schools have played as American Athletic Conference rivals at least once every season since 2013-14... Competed as Conference USA rivals from 2005-06 through 2012-13.
• The series started with a 66-56 UCF win in Houston on Jan. 14, 2006.
at Home: Houston owns an 11-5 record against UCF in Houston.
• Houston has won the last three meetings and five of the last six in Houston. Only a 69-64 loss inside the Fertitta Center on March 2, 2019, prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
• In the most recent meeting in Houston, the Cougars enjoyed a 70-52 victory inside the Fertitta Center on Feb. 17, 2022.
• In the first meeting in Houston in the series, UCF claimed a 66-56 win inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Jan. 14, 2006.
in Fertitta Center: Houston owns a 3-1 lead in the series against UCF inside the Fertitta Center.
• In the most recent meeting in Houston, the Cougars enjoyed a 70-52 victory inside the Fertitta Center on Feb. 17, 2022.
• In the first meeting in the Fertitta Center, UCF enjoyed a 69-64 win on March 2, 2019. UCF.

UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, 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.
• From there, Houston travels north to face Cincinnati inside Fifth Third Arena at 2 p.m. (CST), Sunday, Jan. 8. That game will air on ESPN.
• 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.

– UHCougars.com –

Upcoming Events

Recent Results