#1 Men’s Hoops Hosts Tulane on Wednesday in Fertitta Center

HOUSTON – Competing as the nation's No. 1 team for the fifth week during the 2022-23 season, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program continues its American Athletic Conference schedule when it plays host to Tulane at 8 p.m., Wednesday inside the Fertitta Center.

With a win against Tulane, the Cougars will clinch a share of the American Athletic Conference regular season-championship. It would be the program's fourth regular-season crown in the last five seasons and the sixth championship overall (regular season and tournament) under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson.

The Cougars look to sweep the regular-season series against the Green Wave after taking an 80-60 win in New Orleans on Jan. 17.

Houston enters this week's game following a tough 72-64 win over Memphis on Sunday inside the Fertitta Center. Senior guard Marcus Sasser posted 20 points with a pair of 3-pointers while junior forward J'Wan Roberts added a career-high 20 points and a game-high 12 rebounds for this team-leading fourth double-double of the season.

This season, Sasser leads the Cougars with 16.7 points and is tied with junior point guard Jamal Shead with 1.7 steals per contest. In addition to his steals average, Shead also lead the Cougars and the American Athletic Conference with a 3.06 assist-turnover ratio.

Roberts tops Houston with 11.3 rebounds per game with sophomore center Ja'Vier Francis leading the way with 14 blocks per game.

BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
Fans may purchase single-game tickets for the Cougars' 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 ESPNU with John Schriffen (play-by-play) and Mark Adams (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 7:45 p.m., Wednesday.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.

ABOUT TULANE
• Tulane brings a 17-7 overall record and 10-3 mark in American Athletic Conference action in 2022-23 into Wednesday's game.
• The Green Wave stand in second in the latest league standings through Feb. 19.
• Tulane owns a 5-2 record in road games this season.
• The Green Wave have won their last five games and 10 of their last 12. Only back-to-back home losses to Houston (Jan. 17) and UCF (Jan. 14) prevents a longer winning streak.
• In its most recent action, Tulane claimed an 84-66 win at South Florida on Saturday in Tampa, Fla.
• Against South Florida, guard Jalen Cook poured in a game-high 30 points, thanks to three 3-pointers, and added five rebounds with seven assists and four steals. Forward Kevin Cross totaled 19 points with 13 rebounds and six assists while Jaylen Forbes posted 15 points with five rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals.
• This season, Cook leads Tulane and ranks second in The American with 20.1 points and 5.2 assists per game. Forbes stands second with 18.8 points per game. Cross ranks third on the team with 15.5 points per game but leads the Green Wave with 6.5 rebounds per contest.
• Head Coach Ron Hunter is in his fourth season at Tulane and his 29th season as a collegiate head coach.
• Hunter has built a 498-367 career record with a 53-53 mark at Tulane... Previously compiled a 171-95 record at Georgia State (2011-19) and a 274-219 mark at IUPUI (1994-2011).
• Hunter has posted an 0-10 record against Houston during his career. That includes an 0-8 record with Tulane, an 0-1 mark with Georgia State and an 0-1 record with IUPUI.
• Hunter has posted an 0-9 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers. That includes an 0-7 record with Tulane and an 0-1 mark with Georgia State during Sampson's Houston tenure and an 0-1 record with IUPUI during Sampson's Indiana tenure.
• 1986 graduate of Miami (Ohio).

SERIES HISTORY vs. TULANE
• Houston owns a 31-18 lead against Tulane in the series, which began during the 1946-47 season.
• Sunday's game is the second of two regular-season meetings against Tulane in 2022-23. The Cougars claimed an 80-60 win in New Orleans on Jan. 17.
• Houston has won the last 10 games and 12 of the last 13 meetings against Tulane. Oly an 81-72 Tulane win in New Orleans on Jan. 17, 2018, prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
• This is the ninth straight and the 26th in the last 27 years in which the two schools played at least once on the hardwood. The schools did not face one another during the 2013-14 season.
• Schools competed as Conference USA rivals from 1996-97 through 2012-13... Have squared off as American Athletic Conference rivals at least once a year since 2014-15.
• Series started with a 62-49 Tulane win in New Orleans on Dec. 11, 1946.
at Home: Houston owns a 16-5 lead in the series against Tulane in games played in Houston.
• The Cougars have won the last six home meetings against Tulane in Houston. The Green Wave's last win in Houston was a 68-65 decision inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Jan. 17, 2015.
in Fertitta Center: Houston owns a 3-0 lead against Tulane in games played inside the Fertitta Center during the facility's history.
• The Cougars have won each of the previous three meetings against the Green Wave by 11+ points.
• In the most recent meeting in the Fertitta Center, Houston enjoyed a 73-62 win on Feb. 2, 2022.

UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, the Cougars travel to face East Carolina at 7 p.m. (CST), Saturday, Feb. 25, inside Williams Arena in Greenville, N.C. That game – the only 2022-23 regular-season meeting against the Pirates – can be seen on ESPN2.
• Houston then closes its regular-season home schedule when it plays host to Wichita State at 6 p.m., Thursday, March 2, inside the Fertitta Center. That game will air on ESPN2 .
• Prior to the March 2 game, guard Marcus Sasser, forward Reggie Chaney and center Darius Bowser will be honored during Senior Night ceremonies.
• From there, the Cougars close their regular-season schedule when they face Memphis at 11 a.m., Sunday, March 5, inside FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. That game can be seen on CBS.
• 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.

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