PREVIEW: #3/2 Men’s Basketball Faces Jackson State

HOUSTON – Fresh off its 10th consecutive home win, the #3/2 University of Houston Men's Basketball program welcomes Jackson State to the Fertitta Center for the first time in a 3 p.m., Saturday, showdown.

The Cougars enter this weekend's game following a 75-39 win over Rice inside Fertitta Center on Wednesday evening. Senior guard LJ Cryer poured in five 3-pointers on the way to a game-high 15 points while sophomore guard Terrance Arceneaux grabbed nine rebounds for the second time in the last three games.

With Houston's win over Rice on Wednesday, Shead competed in the 50^th victory inside Fertitta Center during his career. He became the second Cougar in school history to reach that milestone joining teammate and senior forward J'Wan Roberts in that exclusive group.

That's not the only small group in which Shead competes this season. With 6.22 assists per game and 2.8 steals per game, he is one of only two student-athletes to rank among the nation's Top-14 leaders in both categories. He joined Iowa State's Tamin Lipsey (6.25 apg, 13^th; 3.0 spg, 8^th).

Roberts has emerged as one of the Big 12's top rebounders. The St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, native is one of only four student-athletes to rank among the league's Top Seven in both offensive and defense rebounding.

Roberts stands sixth in the league with 2.8 offensive rebounds per contest and is tied for seventh with 5.2 defensive boards per game. He joined West Virginia's Jesse Edwards (3.9 orpg, 2^nd; 6.0 drpg, 4^th) and Kansas State teammates David Nguessan (3.1 orpg, 4^th; 5.2 drpg, t-7^th) and Arthur Kaluma (2.6 orpg, 7^th; 5.9 drpg, 5^th).

This will be the first time Houston has faced Jackson State on the hardwood.

GAME PROMOTIONS
• Saturday's game will be the Cougars' Military Appreciation Game and Salute to Service.
• A musical unit from Fort Cavazos will perform the national anthem.
• Future soldiers will be administered their military oaths in a ceremony during halftime.
• Current University of Houston students can claim two tickets through the Student Ticket Claim process.
• Shasta and Sasha Claus will be available for pregame photos on the concourse in the Cub Zone.

TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Saturday's game on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with Matt Thomas (play-by-play), Houston great Reid Gettys (analyst) and Austyn Iven (reporter) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Saturday's game on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes calling the action. 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.

ABOUT JACKSON STATE
• Jackson State brings a 2-6 record into Saturday's game inside Fertitta Center.
• The Tigers are 2-6 in road games in 2023-24.
• In its most recent action, Jackson State took a 75-71 win at Arkansas State in Jonesboro, Ark., on Nov. 28.
• Against Arkansas State, the Tigers outscored the Red Wolves 40-33 in the second half to rally from a 3-point halftime deficit.
• Junior guard Ken Evans led all players with 32 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field and 12-of-13 from the free throw line. Junior forward Zeke Cook posted a team-high eight rebounds while senior forward Romelle Mansel came off the bench to lead the Tigers with four assists. Senior forward Jordan O'Neal added five blocked shots in the win.
• This season, Evans leads Jackson State with 20.4 points per game. Cook is tops on the team with 6.1 rebounds per contest while senior guard Chase Adams leads the Tigers with 3.3 assists per contest.
• Head Coach Mo Williams is in his second season at Jackson State and his fourth as a collegiate head coach.
• Williams has posted a 16-25 record with Jackson State and is 30-60 during his career.
• Previously built a 14-35 record at Alabama State.
• Saturday's game will be the first time Williams has faced Houston during his career.
• Saturday's game will be the first time Williams has faced Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 2003 graduate of Alabama.

SERIES HISTORY vs. JACKSON STATE
• Saturday's game will be the first time Houston has faced Jackson State in Men's Basketball in program history.

UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, Houston takes on #21/19 Texas A&M during The Halal Guys Showcase at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16, inside Toyota Center.
• That game will air on ESPN2 and be part of a doubleheader with Texas facing LSU at 11 a.m., Dec. 16.
• Houston then faces Texas State at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 21, inside Fertitta Center in a game airing on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• From there, the Cougars close out the year 2023 when they meet Penn at 6 p.m., Dec. 30, inside Fertitta Center. That game will air 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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