Men’s Hoops to Meet Xavier in BIG EAST-Big 12 Battle in 2023-24

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program learned its first opponent for the 2023-24 season, as the Cougars will travel to face Xavier on Friday, Dec. 1, as part of the BIG EAST-Big 12 Battle, both leagues announced Thursday morning.

The Cougars recently completed their ninth season under four-time American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Kelvin Sampson.

BIG EAST-Big 12 Battle, vs. Xavier

In 2022-23, Houston posted a 33-4 overall record, set a school single-season record and tied the American Athletic Conference record with a 17-1 league mark, advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive season and finished among the Top-Six leaders in both national polls.

SERIES vs. XAVIER
Houston owns a 2-0 record against Xavier in the series history. It will be the first time Houston faces Xavier since a 100-75 win at the Bluebonnet Classic in Houston on Dec. 15, 1977.

This will be the first time Houston has faced the Musketeers in Men's Basketball on the road with both previous meetings being played in Houston. In the other previous meeting, the Cougars took a 114-73 win in Houston on Dec. 9, 1972.

Sampson has posted a 1-1 record against Xavier during his career with a 2002 NCAA Tournament win as Oklahoma's coach and a loss in the 2007 Chicago Invitational Challenge with Indiana.

ABOUT the BIG EAST-BIG 12 BATTLE
This marks the fifth season of the BIG EAST-Big 12 Battle. This season's games will be played from Nov. 30 through Dec. 5.

With each conference adding member schools since the start of the original agreement, the Battle will increase from 10 to 11 matchups for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. The Big 12 will host six games in 2023-24 while the BIG EAST will host six the following season.

The Battle matchups are jointly determined by the two conferences, with the home team choosing the venue of its game. Broadcast arrangements for the contests will be determined by the national television rights holder of the home team, which is ESPN for the Big 12 and FOX Sports for the BIG EAST.

Game times and television networks will be announced when available.

2023 BIG EAST-BIG 12 BATTLE SCHEDULE

Date	Game
Thursday, Nov. 30	Texas Tech at Butler
Thursday, Nov. 30	Creighton at Oklahoma State
Friday, Dec. 1	Houston at Xavier
Friday, Dec. 1	Iowa State at DePaul
Friday, Dec. 1	UConn at Kansas
Friday, Dec. 1	St. John's at West Virginia
Saturday, Dec. 2	TCU at Georgetown
Tuesday, Dec. 5	Texas at Marquette
Tuesday, Dec. 5	Providence at Oklahoma
Tuesday, Dec. 5	Villanova at Kansas State
Tuesday, Dec. 5	Seton Hall at Baylor

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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