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University of Houston Athletics
Saturday, October 28
Houston, Texas
3 p.m.
University of Houston
vs
UNC Pembroke (exhibition)
Photo by: Stephen Pinchback
#7/6 Men’s Basketball Hosts UNC Pembroke in Saturday Exhibition
10/27/2023 1:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Watch (Big 12 Now on ESPN+)Listen (Varsity Network app)Live Stats (StatBroadcast)Houston Game Notes (PDF)UNC Pembroke Stats (PDF)2023-24 ScheduleSupport Houston RiseJoin 50-50 Club
Cougars tip off vs. Braves at 3 p.m., Saturday, inside Fertitta Center
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program takes its first step in the 2023-24 season when it plays host to UNC Pembroke at 3 p.m., Saturday, inside Fertitta Center in the Cougars' lone exhibition contest of the year.
Ranked among the nation's Top 10 in both preseason polls, the Cougars are preparing for their first season as a member of the Big 12 Conference. #7/6 Houston has been an NCAA Tournament qualifier in each of the last five seasons – a first in school history with Sweet 16 appearances in each of the last four years, another school record.
In addition to their national rankings, the Cougars also were highly regarded in their first Big 12 preseason poll. Houston received 153 points and a pair of first-place votes to stand at No. 2 in the poll, voted on by the league's head coaches.
Earlier this week, three Cougars were named to preseason national award watch lists. Senior Jamal Shead was named to the Bob Cousy Award Watch list with that honor going to the nation's top point guard. Senior LJ Cryer earned a place on the Jerry West Award Watch List for the top shooting guard in the country.
Senior J'Wan Roberts was named to the Karl Malone Award Watch List, presented annually to the nation's top power forward.
Cryer was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team while Shead received Honorable Mention.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Saturday's game on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with Matt Pedersen (play-by-play) and Houston great Reid Gettys (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Saturday's game on the Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) calling the action and Houston Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes as analyst. The pregame show begins at 2:45 p.m., Saturday.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
IN the NATIONAL RANKINGS
• With the Cougars' Top-10 preseason rankings, Houston appeared in the weekly AP poll for the 210th time in school history.
• The Cougars also extended their school-record streak to 65 consecutive weeks among the AP Top 25. The Jan. 13, 2020, polls were the last time Houston did not appear in the AP or Coaches Top 25 polls.
• This is the seventh straight season in which Houston was ranked for at least one week.
• The Cougars have been ranked in both final national polls in each of the last six seasons, a first in school history.
UNC PEMBROKE TIES
• Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson is a proud UNCP graduate, earning his bachelor's degree in health and physical education and political science in 1978.
• As a UNCP undergraduate, Sampson finished his collegiate career with four letters in basketball and three in baseball.
• He earned Dean's List recognition and was awarded the Gregory Lowe Memorial Award as the school's outstanding physical education major during his senior year.
• However, the UNCP ties aren't limited to the Cougar head coach. Sampson's wife, Karen, also is a UNCP graduate and has served on the school's Board of Trustees since 2018.
ABOUT UNC PEMBROKE
• Like Houston, Saturday's game will be an exhibition for UNC Pembroke.
• In 2022-23, the Braves posted a 26-4 overall record and captured the Conference Carolinas regular-season title with an 18-2 mark.
• UNC Pembroke finished the 2022-23 season with a 12-1 road record and a 1-1 mark in neutral-site games for a 13-2 overall record in non-home games.
• The Braves won 18 consecutive games and 19 of 20 midway through the season.
• UNC Pembroke returns its top three scorers and two of its top three rebounders in 2023-24.
• Junior guard Bradlee Haskell led the way a year ago with 13.2 points per game and added 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest. Junior guard JaJuan Carr posted 10.2 points per game and is the leading returner with 2.8 assists per contest.
• Junior forward Elijah Cobb finished with 9.3 points per game and led the team with 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
• Head Coach Drew Richards is in his fourth season at UNC Pembroke and his fifth season as a collegiate head coach.
• Richards previously served as head coach at Lander during the 2019-20 season.
• Richards has built a 56-11 record at UNC Pembroke and is 79-19 overall in his career. He previously compiled a 23-8 record at Lander in 2019-20.
• Saturday's game will be the first time Richards has faced Houston during his career.
• Saturday's game will be the first time Richards has faced Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 2008 graduate of Missouri State.
UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's exhibition against UNC Pembroke, Houston opens the 2023-24 season when it plays host to ULM at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 6, inside Fertitta Center.
• That game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• The Cougars continue their season-opening homestand when they face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday, Nov. 11, inside Fertitta Center.
• That game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• From there, the Cougars take on Stetson at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 13, inside Fertitta Center to close the homestand.
• That game will be shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
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 as we begin Big 12 competition. 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.
Ranked among the nation's Top 10 in both preseason polls, the Cougars are preparing for their first season as a member of the Big 12 Conference. #7/6 Houston has been an NCAA Tournament qualifier in each of the last five seasons – a first in school history with Sweet 16 appearances in each of the last four years, another school record.
In addition to their national rankings, the Cougars also were highly regarded in their first Big 12 preseason poll. Houston received 153 points and a pair of first-place votes to stand at No. 2 in the poll, voted on by the league's head coaches.
Earlier this week, three Cougars were named to preseason national award watch lists. Senior Jamal Shead was named to the Bob Cousy Award Watch list with that honor going to the nation's top point guard. Senior LJ Cryer earned a place on the Jerry West Award Watch List for the top shooting guard in the country.Senior J'Wan Roberts was named to the Karl Malone Award Watch List, presented annually to the nation's top power forward.
Cryer was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team while Shead received Honorable Mention.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Saturday's game on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with Matt Pedersen (play-by-play) and Houston great Reid Gettys (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Saturday's game on the Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) calling the action and Houston Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes as analyst. The pregame show begins at 2:45 p.m., Saturday.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
IN the NATIONAL RANKINGS
• With the Cougars' Top-10 preseason rankings, Houston appeared in the weekly AP poll for the 210th time in school history.
• The Cougars also extended their school-record streak to 65 consecutive weeks among the AP Top 25. The Jan. 13, 2020, polls were the last time Houston did not appear in the AP or Coaches Top 25 polls.
• This is the seventh straight season in which Houston was ranked for at least one week.
• The Cougars have been ranked in both final national polls in each of the last six seasons, a first in school history.
UNC PEMBROKE TIES
• Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson is a proud UNCP graduate, earning his bachelor's degree in health and physical education and political science in 1978.
• As a UNCP undergraduate, Sampson finished his collegiate career with four letters in basketball and three in baseball.
• He earned Dean's List recognition and was awarded the Gregory Lowe Memorial Award as the school's outstanding physical education major during his senior year.
• However, the UNCP ties aren't limited to the Cougar head coach. Sampson's wife, Karen, also is a UNCP graduate and has served on the school's Board of Trustees since 2018.
ABOUT UNC PEMBROKE
• Like Houston, Saturday's game will be an exhibition for UNC Pembroke.
• In 2022-23, the Braves posted a 26-4 overall record and captured the Conference Carolinas regular-season title with an 18-2 mark.
• UNC Pembroke finished the 2022-23 season with a 12-1 road record and a 1-1 mark in neutral-site games for a 13-2 overall record in non-home games.
• The Braves won 18 consecutive games and 19 of 20 midway through the season.
• UNC Pembroke returns its top three scorers and two of its top three rebounders in 2023-24.
• Junior guard Bradlee Haskell led the way a year ago with 13.2 points per game and added 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest. Junior guard JaJuan Carr posted 10.2 points per game and is the leading returner with 2.8 assists per contest.
• Junior forward Elijah Cobb finished with 9.3 points per game and led the team with 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
• Head Coach Drew Richards is in his fourth season at UNC Pembroke and his fifth season as a collegiate head coach.
• Richards previously served as head coach at Lander during the 2019-20 season.
• Richards has built a 56-11 record at UNC Pembroke and is 79-19 overall in his career. He previously compiled a 23-8 record at Lander in 2019-20.
• Saturday's game will be the first time Richards has faced Houston during his career.
• Saturday's game will be the first time Richards has faced Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 2008 graduate of Missouri State.
UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's exhibition against UNC Pembroke, Houston opens the 2023-24 season when it plays host to ULM at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 6, inside Fertitta Center.
• That game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• The Cougars continue their season-opening homestand when they face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday, Nov. 11, inside Fertitta Center.
• That game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• From there, the Cougars take on Stetson at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 13, inside Fertitta Center to close the homestand.
• That game will be shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
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 as we begin Big 12 competition. 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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