#14/14 Men’s Hoops Hosts Cincinnati in Fertitta Center

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball continues its busy final week of the regular season as it plays host to American Athletic Conference rival Cincinnati at 8 p.m., Tuesday, inside the Fertitta Center.

Fans should note this addition to the Cougars' schedule from earlier published schedules. The game is a makeup contest from the schools' postponed Dec. 28 game due to health and safety protocols within the Houston program at that time.

This is the second game in a stretch which has the Cougars playing three home games inside the Fertitta Center. As the team closes out its final week of the regular season, Houston will compete in four games over the last eight days.

No. 14/14 Houston enters Tuesday's game following a 75-61 win over rv/rv SMU inside the Fertitta Center on Sunday. It was the program's fourth straight win and 16^th victory in the last 18 contests.

Against the Mustangs, graduate forward Fabian White Jr posted 21 points with nine rebounds and three blocked to lead all players. After leading the Cougars to the cusp of the regular-season title with a pair of wins last week, the Atascocita, Texas, native was honored as The American Player of the Week on Monday for the second time this season.

Graduate forward Josh Carlton totaled 19 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field with eight rebounds, while sophomore point guard Jamal Shead finished with 10 points and 11 assists for his third double-double of the season and the fourth of his career.

This season, Shead leads the Cougars and the American Athletic Conference with 5.8 assists per game and a 2.98 assist-turnover ratio. He is one of only three players to rank among the nation's Top-15 leaders in both categories.

AT STAKE
With a win over Cincinnati, Houston will capture its third American Athletic Conference regular-season title in the last four years. It also will be the 17^th conference championship (regular season or tournament) and the 10^th regular-season crown in school history.

Houston will also record its fourth American title under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson's leadership in nearly eight full seasons.

The Cougars also would clinch the No. 1 seed at the American Athletic Conference Championship, set for March 10-13 inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Houston is the defending tournament champion.

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.

BUY 2022 AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP TICKETS
The Cougars look to defend their crown when they compete at the 2022 American Athletic Conference Championship on March 10-13 inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

While the Cougars' first opponent and game times have not been finalized yet, fans can start making their plans to see the team in action by purchasing tickets.

To for information about The American Championship and/or to purchase 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.

TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Tuesday's game on ESPNU with Mike Corey (play-by-play) and Mark Adams (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Tuesday'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 from Tuesday's game on StatBroadcast.

AMONG the BEST
• Through games of Feb. 27, Houston leads the nation in field-goal percentage defense (36.8)
• The Cougars rank among the nation's Top-10 statistical leaders in scoring margin (+17.3, 4th), scoring defense (59.0, 7th), offensive rebounds (13.5, 7th), rebounding margin (+7.6, 10th) and winning percentage (85.7, 9th)
• Houston stands among the country's Top 20 in 3-point field goal percentage defense (29.3, 12th), blocked shots (5.4, 13th), assists (16.4, 15th), assist-turnover ratio (1.47, 19th) and rebounds per game (39.9, 17th).

STREAKING NATIONALLY
With Monday's release, the Cougars were ranked in the Associated Press poll for the 43^rd consecutive week, extending their school record. Houston has been ranked in every AP poll since Jan. 20, 2019.

This is the fifth straight season under 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 CINCINNATI
• Cincinnati enters Tuesday's game with a 17-12 overall record and 7-9 mark in American Athletic Conference play. The Bearcats stand in seventh in the latest league standings.
• SMU has posted a 4-5 record in road games this season with a 5-6 mark in non-home contests.
• In its most recent action, Cincinnati dropped a 56-54 decision after a buzzer-beating shot by South Florida inside Fifth Third Arena on Saturday.
• Against South Florida, junior wing John Newman III came off the bench to lead Cincinnati with 11 points and eight rebounds. Junior guard Mika Adams-Woods added 10 points with three assists in the loss.
• This season, senior guard David DeJulius leads Cincinnati with 14.4 points per game. Junior guard Jeremiah Davenport stands second with 13.6 points per contest but leads the team with 5.5 rebounds per game. Adams-Woods is tops with 3.2 assists per game.
• Head Coach Wes Miller is in his first year at Cincinnati and his 12th season as a collegiate head coach.
• Miller has compiled a 17-12 record at Cincinnati and is 193-144 during his career... Previously built a 176-132 record at Cincinnati (2011-21).
• Miller has posted an 0-1 record against Houston during his career.
• Miller has posted an 0-1 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers... Is 0-1 against Sampson as Cincinnati's head coach.
• 2007 graduate of North Carolina.

SERIES HISTORY vs. CINCINNATI
• Cincinnati owns a 33-9 lead against Houston in the series, which began during the 1957-58 season.
• Sunday's game is the second of two meetings during the regular season between the two schools. Houston took an 80-58 win inside Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati on Feb. 6.
• Houston has won the last four games and six of the last eight against the Bearcats. The current winning streak is the longest in the series history against Cincinnati.
• This is the eighth straight season in which the two schools will play at least once.
• Teams played at least once every year from 1957-58 through 59-60 as members of Missouri Valley Conference... Teams continued rivalry as Conference USA foes from 1996-97 through 2004-05... Series resumed during the 2013-14 season when Houston joined the American Athletic Conference.
• Series started with a 70-53 Cincinnati win in Houston on Dec. 21, 1957.
at Home: Cincinnati owns a 14-6 lead in the series against the Cougars in games played in Houston.
• Houston has won the last four games and five of the last six in Houston. Only a 67-58 Cincinnati win in Hofheinz Pavilion on Jan. 7, 2017, prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
• In the first home meeting in the series, Houston dropped a 70-53 decision to the Bearcats in Houston on Dec. 21, 1957.
in Fertitta Center: Houston owns a 3-0 lead against Cincinnati inside the Fertitta Center.
• In the most recent meeting inside the Fertitta Center, the Cougars claimed a 90-52 win on Feb. 21, 2021.
• In the first meeting inside the Fertitta Center, Houston posted a 65-58 win on Feb. 10, 2019.

UP NEXT
• Following Tuesday's game, the Cougars close their regular-season home slate and celebrate Senior Night when they face Temple at 6 p.m., Thursday, inside the Fertitta Center. That game will air on ESPN2/U.
• Forward Fabian White Jr., guard Kyler Edwards, guard Taze Moore and forward Josh Carlton will be honored in pregame ceremonies. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 5:20 p.m., with the Senior Ceremony scheduled to begin around 5:30 p.m., Thursday.
• Houston enjoyed a 66-61 win in the conference opener for both teams in Philadelphia on Jan. 2.
• From there, the Cougars close the regular season when they take on Memphis inside FedExForum at 11 a.m., March 6. That game will air on CBS.
• The Tigers claimed a 69-59 win inside the Fertitta Center in Houston on Feb. 12 in the first meeting between the two teams this season, snapping the Cougars' 37-game home winning streak.
• 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.

– UHCougars.com –

Upcoming Events

Recent Results