.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
Photo by Photoholgic on Unsplash
Men's Basketball Heading Down Under
7/27/2023 5:27:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Cougars make third international trip and first to Southern Hemisphere under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson in early August
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program will take an international tour Down Under as it soon begins a 12-day trip with four games in Australia.
The Cougars will compete in four games and visit Australian sites over nine days after departing Houston on the evening of Aug. 4. After flying four hours to San Francisco, Houston will fly almost 7,500 miles (or nearly 16 hours) to Sydney, Australia's largest city.
For Cougar fans preparing to follow the team on its social media suites, the east coast of Australia is 15 hours ahead of Houston (When it is 1 p.m. (CDT) in Houston, it will be 4 a.m. (AEST) the next day in Australia.)
This will be the third international tour for the Cougars under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson with previous trips to Italy (2019) and China (2015). However, it will be the program's first visit to the Southern Hemisphere.
GAMES
Houston will play four games against Australian competition on the tour with one game in Sydney, one game in Cairns (pronounced Kehns) and the final two contests in Melbourne.
The Cougars will play under FIBA rules with four 10-minute quarters and a 24-second shot clock.
The Cougars meet the East All-Stars at 7 p.m. (AEST)/4 a.m. (CDT) Monday, Aug. 7, inside the Shore School Gymnasium in Sydney. After a flight to Cairns, the Cougars take on the Australian National Team at 10 a.m. (AEST) Wednesday, Aug. 9/7 p.m. (CDT) Tuesday, Aug. 8, at Cairns State High School.
Houston takes on the Frankston Blues from the NBL1 South at 7 p.m. (AEST)/4 a.m. (CDT), Saturday, Aug. 12, inside Dreamstreet Lending Arena. The Cougars close their international competition against the Australia Select Team at 6 p.m. (AEST)/3 a.m. (CDT) Sunday, Aug. 13, inside Keilor Basketball Stadium with both of those games in Melbourne.
AUSTRALIAN ATTRACTIONS
In addition to the games, the Cougars will enjoy visits to many Australian attractions on their tour.
The team will visit the Sydney Opera House – one of the nation's most familiar landmarks – on its first day in Australia (Aug. 6) with a trip to Manly Beach the next morning (Aug. 7).
The Cougars also will take an excursion on the beautiful Great Barrier Reef, home of the world's largest reef system and more than 30 species of whale, dolphin and porpoise and more than 1,500 species of fish on Aug. 10.
On Aug. 11, Houston will enjoy the Melbourne Football Club's Australian Rules Football game that evening. The Cougars also will visit the Melbourne Zoo on Aug. 13 with a dinner cruise of the Sydney Harbor set for Aug. 14.
ABOUT the COUGARS
Under the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars enjoyed tremendous success during their stint in the American Athletic Conference, competing in five straight NCAA Tournaments – including the 2021 NCAA Final Four – with six conference titles (regular-season and tournament).
In 2023-24, Houston returns five letterwinners and two starters from the 2022-23 team, which finished 33-4 to tie the school single-season record in wins, and competed in the NCAA Sweet 16, the fourth straight season in which the Cougars accomplished that feat.
Point guard Jamal Shead averaged 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game a year ago while earning honors as the Conference Defensive Player of the Year. With 200 assists, he became only the second player in Houston history to record multiple 200+ assist seasons in his career, joining Houston great Reid Gettys in that category.
Senior forward J'Wan Roberts led the Cougars and ranked among the top league leaders with 7.7 rebounds per game and was honored as the Conference Most Improved Player of the Year.
BUY 2023-24 TICKETS
The Cougars have sold out of their season ticket allotment inside Fertitta Center for the 2023-24 season.
Information about group and single-game tickets will be available in the near future.
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.
The Cougars will compete in four games and visit Australian sites over nine days after departing Houston on the evening of Aug. 4. After flying four hours to San Francisco, Houston will fly almost 7,500 miles (or nearly 16 hours) to Sydney, Australia's largest city.
| COUGARS to AUSTRALIA 2023 | |
| Dates | Aug. 4-15 |
| Miles | 8,581 |
| Total Flight Time | 19 hours, 30 minutes (!) Houston to San Francisco (4 hrs) San Francisco to Sydney (15 hrs, 30 mins) |
| Friday, Aug. 4 | |
| 3:45 p.m. CT | Leave Guy V. Lewis Development Facility |
| 6:30 p.m. CT | Depart Houston on flight to San Francisco |
| 10:55 p.m. PT | Depart San Francisco on flight to Sydney |
| Saturday, Aug. 5 | |
| All Day | Still on plane |
| Sunday, Aug. 6 | |
| 7 a.m. AEST / 4 p.m. CDT, Aug. 5 |
Arrive in Sydney |
| Time TBA | Tour of Sydney Opera House |
| Monday, Aug. 7 | |
| Time TBA | Visit Manly Beach |
| 7 p.m. AEST / 4 a.m. CDT |
Game 1 – vs. East All-Stars (Shore School Gymnasium) |
| Tuesday, Aug. 8 | |
| 8:10 a.m. AEST | Depart Sydney on flight to Cairns |
| 11:25 a.m. AEST | Arrive in Cairns |
| Wednesday, Aug. 9 | |
| 10 a.m. AEST / 7 p.m CDT Aug. 8 |
Game 2 – vs. Australian National Team (Cairns State High School) |
| Thursday, Aug. 10 | |
| Time TBA | Great Barrier Reef excursion |
| Friday, Aug. 11 | |
| 10:35 a.m. AEST | Depart Cairns on flight to Melbourne |
| 2 p.m. AEST | Arrive in Melbourne |
| Time TBA | Melbourne Football Club (Australian Rules Football Game) |
| Saturday, Aug. 12 | |
| 7 p.m. AEST / 4 a.m. CDT |
Game 3 – vs. Frankston Blues (Dreamstreet Lending Arena) |
| Sunday, Aug.13 | |
| Time TBA | Tour of Melbourne Zoo |
| 6 p.m. AEST / 3 a.m. CDT |
Game 4 – vs. Australia Select Team (Keilor Basketball Stadium) |
| Monday, Aug.14 | |
| 10 a.m.AEST | Leave Melbourne on flight to Sydney |
| 11:25 a.m. AEST | Arrive in Sydney |
| Time TBA | Sydney Harbor dinner cruise |
| Tuesday, Aug.15 | |
| 9:30 a.m. AEST | Leave Sydney on flight to Los Angeles |
| 6:05 a.m. PT | Arrive in Los Angeles |
| 8:15 a.m. PT | Leave Los Angeles on flight to Houston |
| 1:30 p.m. CDT | Arrive in Houston |
This will be the third international tour for the Cougars under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson with previous trips to Italy (2019) and China (2015). However, it will be the program's first visit to the Southern Hemisphere.
GAMES
Houston will play four games against Australian competition on the tour with one game in Sydney, one game in Cairns (pronounced Kehns) and the final two contests in Melbourne.
The Cougars will play under FIBA rules with four 10-minute quarters and a 24-second shot clock.
The Cougars meet the East All-Stars at 7 p.m. (AEST)/4 a.m. (CDT) Monday, Aug. 7, inside the Shore School Gymnasium in Sydney. After a flight to Cairns, the Cougars take on the Australian National Team at 10 a.m. (AEST) Wednesday, Aug. 9/7 p.m. (CDT) Tuesday, Aug. 8, at Cairns State High School.
Houston takes on the Frankston Blues from the NBL1 South at 7 p.m. (AEST)/4 a.m. (CDT), Saturday, Aug. 12, inside Dreamstreet Lending Arena. The Cougars close their international competition against the Australia Select Team at 6 p.m. (AEST)/3 a.m. (CDT) Sunday, Aug. 13, inside Keilor Basketball Stadium with both of those games in Melbourne.
AUSTRALIAN ATTRACTIONS
In addition to the games, the Cougars will enjoy visits to many Australian attractions on their tour.
The team will visit the Sydney Opera House – one of the nation's most familiar landmarks – on its first day in Australia (Aug. 6) with a trip to Manly Beach the next morning (Aug. 7).
The Cougars also will take an excursion on the beautiful Great Barrier Reef, home of the world's largest reef system and more than 30 species of whale, dolphin and porpoise and more than 1,500 species of fish on Aug. 10.
On Aug. 11, Houston will enjoy the Melbourne Football Club's Australian Rules Football game that evening. The Cougars also will visit the Melbourne Zoo on Aug. 13 with a dinner cruise of the Sydney Harbor set for Aug. 14.
ABOUT the COUGARS
Under the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars enjoyed tremendous success during their stint in the American Athletic Conference, competing in five straight NCAA Tournaments – including the 2021 NCAA Final Four – with six conference titles (regular-season and tournament).
In 2023-24, Houston returns five letterwinners and two starters from the 2022-23 team, which finished 33-4 to tie the school single-season record in wins, and competed in the NCAA Sweet 16, the fourth straight season in which the Cougars accomplished that feat.
Point guard Jamal Shead averaged 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game a year ago while earning honors as the Conference Defensive Player of the Year. With 200 assists, he became only the second player in Houston history to record multiple 200+ assist seasons in his career, joining Houston great Reid Gettys in that category.
Senior forward J'Wan Roberts led the Cougars and ranked among the top league leaders with 7.7 rebounds per game and was honored as the Conference Most Improved Player of the Year.
BUY 2023-24 TICKETS
The Cougars have sold out of their season ticket allotment inside Fertitta Center for the 2023-24 season.
Information about group and single-game tickets will be available in the near future.
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 –
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballHOOPS and HOUNDS 2025 – Chase McCarty, Kingston Flemings and Jacob McFarland
Thursday, September 18
HOOPS and HOUNDS 2025 – Ramon Walker Jr, Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan
Wednesday, September 17
HOOPS and HOUNDS 2025 – Mercy Miller, Joseph Tugler, Kordel Jefferson
Wednesday, September 17
First Team Meeting (June 1, 20250
Sunday, June 01