#2 Men’s Hoops Faces SMU in Fertitta Center on Thursday Night

HOUSTON – Winners of its last five games, the #2/2 University of Houston Men's Basketball program continues its stay inside the Fertitta Center when it plays host to SMU at 6 p.m., Thursday, in American Athletic Conference play.

Houston (14-1 • 2-0 American) enters Thursday's game following a gritty 71-65 win over UCF inside the Fertitta Center on Saturday. Sophomore guard Tramon Mark led all players with 19 points, thanks to 6-of-10 shooting, and snared six rebounds in the win. He was named to the American Athletic Conference Honor Roll for the first time this season following that performance.

Thursday's game will be the first of two regular-season meetings against the Mustangs. The Cougars visit Moody Coliseum in Dallas on Feb. 16.

At 90 games, Houston' series against SMU is the most played in school history. The Cougars own a 56-34 lead in the series against the Mustangs and have played SMU at least once every season for the last 18 years.

Houston rose to #2 in both the Associated Press and USA TODAY Sports Coaches polls earlier this week. This marks the fourth week during the 2022-23 season in which the Cougars ranked among the nation's Top-Two teams.

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 Thursday's game on ESPN2 with Kevin Brown (play-by-play) and Tim Welsh (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Thursday'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 5:45 p.m.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.

ABOUT SMU
• SMU brings a 6-8 overall record and 1-0 mark in American Athletic Conference action in 2022-23 into Thursday's game. The Mustangs are tied for first with Houston and Temple in the latest league standings through Jan. 2.
• SMU owns an 0-3 record in road games this season.
• SMU has won three of its last four games. Only a 58-57 loss to Hawai'i in the title game of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic on Christmas.
• In its most recent action, SMU claimed a 92-67 win over Tulsa in Dallas on Sunday afternoon. The Mustangs outscored the Golden Hurricane 49--31 in the second half to win their American Athletic Conference opener.
• Against Tulsa, senior forward Samuell Williamson and senior guard Zach Nutall tied for team-high honors with 17 points. Williamson led the way with seven rebounds and added six assists while Nutall topped all players with four 3-pointers. Freshman guard Jalen Smith totaled 11 points with a game-high seven assists while junior guard Ricardo Wright and junior guard Emory Lanier finished with 11 points apiece.
• This season, freshman guard Zhuric Phelps leads SMU with 18.4 points and 2.6 assists per game. Nutall stands second on the team with 14.4 points per game while Williamson and senior forward Efe Edogie are tied for team-high honors with 7.2 rebounds per contest.
• Head Coach Rob Lanier is in his first season at SMU and his eighth season as a collegiate head coach.
• Lanier has built a 6-8 record at SMU... Previously compiled a 53-30 mark at Georgia State (2019-22) and a 58-70 record at Siena (2001-05).
• Thursday's will be the first time Lanier has faced Houston during his career.
• Thursday's will be the first time Lanier has faced Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 1990 graduate of St. Bonaventure.

SERIES HISTORY vs. SMU
• Houston owns a 56-34 lead in the series against SMU, which began at the NCAA Tournament during the 1955-56 season.
• Thursday's game is the first of two regular-season meetings in 2022-23. Houston travels to meet the Mustangs inside Moody Coliseum in Dallas on Feb. 16, 2023.
• The Cougars won the last meeting and have won three of the last four and eight of the last 10. Only an 85-83 SMU win in Dallas on Feb. 9, 2022, prevents a longer current Houston winning streak.
• A year ago, Houston split the regular-season series against the Mustangs. SMU took an 85-83 win in Dallas on Feb. 9, 2022, before the Cougars claimed a 75-61 win inside the Fertitta Center on Feb. 27, 2022.
• Thursday's game marks the 18th straight season in which the two schools will play at least once.
• Teams met as Conference USA rivals from 2005-06 through 2012-13 before beginning competition as American Athletic Conference rivals in 2013-14.
• Series started with an 89-74 SMU win during the 1956 NCAA Tournament Midwest Region First Round in Lawrence, Kan., on March 16, 1956.
at Home: The Cougars own a 29-10 record against SMU in Houston.
• The Cougars have won the last five meetings and six of the last seven in Houston. Only a 77-66 loss inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Feb. 18, 2017, prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
• In the most recent meeting in Houston, the Cougars enjoyed a 75-61 win inside the Fertitta Center on Feb. 27, 2022.
• In the first meeting in Houston in the series, the Cougars took a 100-98 inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Feb. 24, 1976.
in Fertitta Center: Houston owns a 4-0 lead against SMU in the series inside the Fertitta Center.
• In the most recent meeting inside the Fertitta Center, the Cougars enjoyed a 75-61 win on Feb. 27, 2022.
• In the first meeting in the Fertitta Center, Houston enjoyed an 80-79 win March 7, 2019.

UP NEXT
• Following Thursday's game, the Cougars travel north to face Cincinnati inside Fifth Third Arena at 2 p.m. (CST), Sunday, Jan. 8. That game will air on ESPN.
• From there, Houston returns to the friendly confines of the Fertitta Center to play host to South Florida at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 11. 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