#2 Men’s Hoops Returns to Fertitta Center on Wednesday

HOUSTON – Following a pair of tough road wins last week, the #2 University of Houston Men's Basketball program returns to the friendly confines of the Fertitta Center to play host to Tulsa at 7 p.m., Wednesday in American Athletic Conference play.

The Cougars look to sweep the regular-season series against the Golden Hurricane after taking an 89-50 win in Tulsa, Okla., in The American opener for both schools on Dec. 28.

Houston enters their lone game this week as winners of its last four and 12 of its last 13 games. Last week, the Cougars claimed road wins at Wichita State (70-61, Feb. 2) and at Temple (81-65, Feb. 5) to improve to 22-2 overall and 10-1 in league play.

Senior guard Marcus Sasser leads the Cougars and ranks eighth in The American with 16.0 points per game. However, the Dallas native does far more than score for Houston.

Sasser ranks second among the Cougars and 12^th in the league with 3.3 assists per game and joins junior point guard Jamal Shead among the league's Top-Five leaders with a 2.19 assist-turnover ratio.

Sasser also tops the Cougars and ranks sixth in The American with 1.7 steals per game.

For his impressive all-around play throughout the 2022-23 season, Sasser was named a Top-10 Candidate for the Jerry West Award on Tuesday.

That was only his latest midseason recognition. Sasser previously was named to the Wooden Award Late Season Watch List, Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Midseason Watch List and the Oscar Robertson Trophy Midseason Watch List.

Junior forward J'Wan Roberts leads the Cougars and is tied for eighth in The American with 6.8 rebounds per game. The St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, native also tops both Houston and the league with a 64.6 field goal percentage and has hit at least 50 percent from the field in all but three games in 2022-23.

AMONG the BEST
Through Feb. 5 games, Houston …

• ranks #2 in both the Associated Press and USA TODAY Sports Coaches polls
• leads the nation in NCAA NET rankings, KenPom.com efficiency rankings and the ESPN BPI rankings
• leads the nation in scoring margin (+19.8),
• is tied for first in winning percentage (.917)
• ranks second in field-goal percentage defense (35.5)
• stands third in scoring defense (55.6 ppg)
• ranks among the country's Top 10 in 3-point field goal percentage defense (27.2, 4th), turnovers (9.6, 6th) and turnover margin (+5.0, 7th), and
• is among the Top 20 in assist-turnover ratio (1.52, 11th), rebounding margin (+6.7, 16th), blocked shots (5.1, 18th) and offensive rebounding (12.8, 20th).

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.

ABOUT TULSA
• Tulsa brings a 5-17 overall record and 1-10 mark in American Athletic Conference action in 2022-23 into Wednesday's game.
• The Golden Hurricane stand 11th in the latest league standings through Feb. 6.
• Tulsa owns an 0-5 record in road games this season.
• The Golden Hurricane have lost their last four games and 11 of its last 12 games. Only an 81-79 win in overtime over Tulane on Jan. 21 prevents a longer losing streak.
• In its most recent action, Tulsa dropped an 86-75 decision to Wichita State in Tulsa, Okla., on Sunday.
• Against Wichita State, junior forward Tim Dalger led the Tulsa with 24 points, thanks to 5-of-7 shooting from the 3-point line, and grabbed seven rebounds with two blocked shots and two steals. Junior guard Sam Griffin totaled 14 points with four rebounds and two assists while freshman guard BB Knight added 13 points with two rebounds and an assist. Junior guard Brandon Betson led the Golden Hurricane with four assists.
• This season, Griffin leads Tulsa with 15. 6 points per game. Sophomore forward Bryant Selebangue is second on the team with 12.5 points per game but leads the Golden Hurricane with 9.6 rebounds and 0.5 blocks per contest. Sophomore guard Anthony Pritchard leads the way with 4.1 assists per game.
• Head Coach Eric Konkol is in his first season at Tulsa and his eighth season as a collegiate head coach.
• Konkol has built a 5-17 record at Tulsa and a 158-92 record during his career... Previously compiled a 153-75 mark at Louisiana Tech (2015-22).
• Konkol is 0-1 against Houston during his career.
• Konkol is 0-1 against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 2000 graduate of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

SERIES HISTORY vs. TULSA
• Houston owns a 31-29 lead against Tulsa in the series, which began during the 1950-51 season.
• Wednesday's game is the second of two regular-season meetings in 2022-23. Houston enjoyed an 89-50 win inside the Reynolds Center in Tulsa, Okla., in the American Athletic Conference opener for both teams on Dec. 28, 2022.
• Houston has won the last three games and four of the last five meetings against Tulsa. Only a 65-64 Golden Hurricane win in Tulsa, Okla., on Dec. 29, 2021, prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
• This is the ninth consecutive season and 17th in the last 18 years in which the two teams will play at least once.
• Teams have been conference rivals in three leagues... Competed in Missouri Valley Conference from 1950-51 through 1959-60 season and played twice each year through 1962-63 season after Houston began competition as an independent.
• Competed as Conference USA rivals from 2005-06 season through 2012-13... Began playing as American Athletic Conference rivals during the 2014-15 season.
• Series began with a 50-45 Tulsa win in Houston on Feb. 10, 1951.
at Home: Houston owns a 19-9 lead in the series against Tulsa in games played in Houston.
• The Cougars have won the last six games against Tulsa in Houston. Only a 57-44 loss to the Golden Hurricane inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Feb. 5, 2015, prevents a longer Houston winning streak.
• In the most recent home meeting, Houston claimed an 86-59 win inside the Fertitta Center on Jan. 20, 2021
in Fertitta Center: Houston has posted a 3-0 record against Tulsa inside the Fertitta Center during the facility's history.
• The Cougars have enjoyed tremendous success against Tulsa inside the Fertitta Center, winning by an average of 26.3 points per game in the facility.
• In the most recent meeting inside the Fertitta Center, Houston enjoyed an 86-59 win on Jan. 20, 2021

TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Wednesday's game on ESPN+ with Matt Pedersen (play-by-play), Houston great Reid Gettys (analyst) and Shelby Coppedge (reporter) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Wednesday's game on 950 AM KPRC or the Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Houston legend Elvin Hayes calling the action. The pregame show begins at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.

UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, the Cougars will take a break in their schedule before returning to action to meet SMU at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16, inside Moody Coliseum in Dallas. That game will air on ESPN2.
• The Cougars claimed an 87-53 win inside the Fertitta Center in Houston on Jan. 5.
• From there, Houston meets Memphis for the first time in 2022-23 when it tips off at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19, inside the Fertitta Center in Houston. That game will air on ESPN.
• Houston then continues its brief homestand when it plays host to Tulane at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22, inside the Fertitta Center. That game will air on ESPN2 or ESPNU.
• 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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