#1 Men’s Hoops Hosts North Florida on Tuesday Night

HOUSTON – Winners of its first eight games to open the season, the #1/1 University of Houston Men's Basketball program begins a season-long, three-game homestand when it faces North Florida at 7 p.m., Tuesday, inside the Fertitta Center.

The Cougars remained at #1 in both the Associated Press and USA TODAY Sports Coaches polls for the second straight week.

In addition, Houston claimed the top spot at #1 in the first NET rankings, released Monday by the NCAA. The NET ranking system relies on game results, strength of schedule, game location, scoring margin, net offensive and defensive efficiency and qualities of wins and losses and is used by the NCAA as the primary sorting tool for evaluating teams.

Houston enters its first game of the week following a tough, 53-48 win over –/rv Saint Mary's (Calif.) on Saturday night in The Battleground 2K22 inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

Junior forward J'Wan Roberts poured in 15 points with eight rebounds to lead the Cougars in both categories while senior guard Marcus Sasser added 13 points in the first meeting against the Gaels since the 1996-97 season.

With his point total, Sasser now needs only six more points to become the 50th 1,000-point scorer in Houston career history. The Dallas native also needs only two more 3-pointers to become the seventh Cougar to drain 200+ treys in his career.

This season, Sasser leads the Cougars and is tied for sixth in the league with 17.5 points per game.

Roberts tops the team and stands seventh in The American with 7.0 rebounds per game but tops the league with a 70.4 field goal percentage.

Junior point guard Jamal Shead leads the Cougars and The American with 5.8 assists per game and a 3.1 assist-turnover ratio while sophomore forward Ja'Vier Francis is second in the league with 1.8 assists per game.

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.

ABOUT NORTH FLORIDA
• North Florida brings a 2-5 record in 2022-23 into Tuesday's game. The Ospreys are 0-5 in road games this season.
• North Florida has lost three of its last four games. Only a 90-49 home win over Trinity Baptist on Nov. 29 prevents a longer streak.
• In their most recent action, the Ospreys dropped a 93-88 decision at High Point on Saturday.
• Against High Point, forward Carter Hendricksen scored 22 points and led all players with 11 rebounds. Guard Jarius Hicklen added 17 points with a game-high five 3-pointers and added three assists with a pair of steals while forward Jadyn Parker totaled 14 points with six rebounds and two assists.
• This season, Hicklen leads the Ospreys with 14.7 points and 3.4 assists per game. Hendricksen is a close second with 14.6 points per contest and tops the team with 6.7 rebounds per contest. Jose Placer stands third on the team with 10.1 points per game.
• Head Coach Matthew Driscoll is in his 14th season at North Florida and as a collegiate head coach.
• Driscoll has compiled a 205-219 record during his career.
• Saturday's game will be the first time Driscoll has faced Houston or Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during his career.
• 1992 graduate of Slippery Rock.

SERIES HISTORY vs. NORTH FLORIDA
• Tuesday's game will be the first time Houston has faced North Florida in Men's Basketball.

TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Tuesday's game on ESPN+ with Matt Thomas (play-by-play) and Houston great Reid Gettys (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Tuesday's game on 950 AM KPRC or The Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Houston Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (analyst) calling the action. The pregame show begins at 6:45 p.m.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.

UP NEXT
• Following Tuesday's game, the Cougars continue their homestand when they meet #8/10 Alabama at 2 p.m., Saturday, inside the Fertitta Center. That game will air on ABC in the first matchup between two Top-10 teams in the Fertitta Center.
• From there, the Cougars close out their home swing when they face North Carolina A&T at 7 p.m., Dec. 13, inside the Fertitta Center. That game can be seen 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 –

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