University of Houston Athletics
Wednesday, January 17
Houston, Texas
8 p.m.
University of Houston
vs
#25/25 Texas Tech
PREVIEW: #5 Men’s Hoops Hosts #25 Texas Tech in Fertitta Center
1/16/2024 1:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Cougars tip off vs. Red Raiders at 8 p.m., Wednesday
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program returns to the friendly confines of Fertitta Center to play host to a pair of Big 12 Conference games this week, starting at 8 p.m., Wednesday, against #25/25 Texas Tech.
Wednesday's game is presented by Memorial Hermann.
The fifth-ranked Cougars enter this week's game following a tough 68-67 loss at rv/rv TCU on Saturday as the Horned Frogs sank a layup with eight seconds remaining. Senior forward J'Wan Roberts led all players with 20 point and 13 rebounds and tied for team-high honors with five assists.
Posting a 9-0 record in home games this season, Houston will put its 14-game winning streak inside Fertitta Center on the line against the Red Raiders.
Wednesday's game will be the first time Houston has faced Texas Tech since the 2020-21 season and the first time on the Cougars' home court since the 1995-96 season.
With 56 games played with most as former Southwest Conference rivals, the series against Texas Tech is the eighth most-played in Houston history.
GAME PROMOTIONS
• Wednesday's game is presented by Memorial Hermann.
• Wednesday's game will be #ForTheCity Night in Fertitta Center.
• Junior Gordon will perform the national anthem prior to the game.
• Fans will want to stay in their seats at the break with UH Mariachi Pumas performing at halftime.
HOUSTON in NATIONAL RANKINGS
• Checking in at #5 in both the Associated Press and the USA TODAY Sports Coaches polls on Monday, the Cougars now own the nation's longest active streak with 75 consecutive weeks in the AP Top 25.
• Houston moved into the top spot after Gonzaga fell out of the Top 25 after 143 weeks.
• This marked the seventh consecutive week in which the Cougars stood among the AP Top Five in 2023-24. It also marked the 30th straight week in which Houston was ranked among the Top 10.
• The Cougars are 16-5 when competing as the #5 (AP) team in their history and have won their last three games in that position.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Wednesday's game on ESPNU with Rich Hollenberg (play-by-play) and Fran Fraschilla (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Wednesday's game on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) 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 TEXAS TECH
• Texas Tech brings a 14-2 overall record and 3-0 Big 12 mark into Wednesday's game inside Fertitta Center
• Texas Tech is tied with Baylor for the league lead with its 3-0 record.
• The Red Raiders are ranked #25 in both the Associated Press poll and USA TODAY Sports Coaches polls.
• Texas Tech is 1-1 in road games and 4-2 in non-home games during the 2023-24 season.
• The Red Raiders have won their last nine and 11 of their last 12 games. Only a 103-95 loss in overtime at Butler on Nov. 30 prevents a longer streak.
• In its most recent action, Texas Tech enjoyed a 60-59 win over Kansas State in Lubbock, Texas, on Jan,. 13. Senior guard Joe Toussaint scored the game-winning point with 30 seconds remaining.
• Against Kansas State, Toussaint led the Red Raiders with 12 points while senior forward Warren Washington totaled 11 points with a team-high eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Darrion Williams and sophomore guard Pop Isaacs finished with 10 points apiece with Williams adding six rebounds and two assists.
• This season, Isaacs leads Texas Tech with 16.3 points per game. Toussaint averages 14.1 points per game while senior forward Devan Cambridge totals 10.5 points per contest. Washington stands fourth on the team with 10.0 points per game and leads the Red Raiders with 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
• Head Coach Grant McCasland is in his first season at Texas Tech and his 10th season as a collegiate head coach.
• McCasland has posted a 14-2 record with Texas Tech and is 225-91 during his career.
• McCasland previously built a 135-65 record at North Texas (2017-23, a 20-12 mark at Arkansas State (2016-17) and a 56-12 record at Midwestern State (2009-11).
• Wednesday's game will be the first time McCasland has faced Houston during his career.
• Wednesday's game will be the first time McCasland has faced Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 1999 graduate of Baylor.
SERIES HISTORY vs. TEXAS TECH
• Houston owns a 29-27 lead in the series history against Texas Tech.
• Wednesday's game will be the lone regular-season meetings against Texas Tech during the 2023-24 season.
• Wednesday's game will be the first meeting since the 2020-21 season.
• Houston has won the last two meetings against the Red Raiders. Those wins snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Red Raiders
• The series was played at least once every year from 1974-75 through 1995-96. The schools played at least twice a year as members of the Southwest Conference from 1975-76 through 1995-96.
• In the most recent meeting, Houston enjoyed a 64-53 win in the Southwest Showcase Title Game inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Nov, 29, 2020.
• In the first meeting, Texas Tech claimed a 69-67 win in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Consolation in Lawrence, Kan., on March 18, 1961.
• Texas Tech's last win in the series was a 76-64 decision in the Progressive Legends Classic Championship Round inside Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Nov. 26, 2013.
at Home: Houston owns an 16-7 lead in the series history against Texas Tech in games played on the Cougars' home court.
• Texas Tech has won the last two meetings on the Cougars' home court. Those wins snapped the Cougars' eight-game home winning streak against the Red Raiders.
• Wednesday's game will be the first time the Cougars have faced Texas Tech in Houston since a 71-64 loss at Compaq Center on Dec. 14, 2001.
• Wednesday's game will be the first time the Cougars have faced Texas Tech on Houston's home court since a 93-84 Red Raider win in Hofheinz Pavilion on Feb. 17, 1996.
• Houston's last home win over Texas Tech was a 76-64 victory in Hofheinz Pavilion on Feb. 12, 1994.
in Fertitta Center: Wednesday's game will be the first time Houston has faced Texas Tech in Fertitta Center.
UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, continue its homestand when it meets UCF at 1 p.m., Saturday, inside Fertitta Center in Houston.
• That game will be part of a doubleheader with Houston Women's Basketball, which faces Oklahoma at 6 p.m., Saturday.
• From there, Houston takes on #18/17 BYU at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 23, inside Marriott Center in Provo, Utah.
• That game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• The Cougars return to Fertitta Center to play host to Kansas State at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 27.
• That game can be seen on ESPN or ESPN2
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise and by joining the 50-50 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Men's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
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.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on X, formerly known as 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.
Wednesday's game is presented by Memorial Hermann.
The fifth-ranked Cougars enter this week's game following a tough 68-67 loss at rv/rv TCU on Saturday as the Horned Frogs sank a layup with eight seconds remaining. Senior forward J'Wan Roberts led all players with 20 point and 13 rebounds and tied for team-high honors with five assists.
Posting a 9-0 record in home games this season, Houston will put its 14-game winning streak inside Fertitta Center on the line against the Red Raiders.
Wednesday's game will be the first time Houston has faced Texas Tech since the 2020-21 season and the first time on the Cougars' home court since the 1995-96 season.
With 56 games played with most as former Southwest Conference rivals, the series against Texas Tech is the eighth most-played in Houston history.
GAME PROMOTIONS
• Wednesday's game is presented by Memorial Hermann.
• Wednesday's game will be #ForTheCity Night in Fertitta Center.
• Junior Gordon will perform the national anthem prior to the game.
• Fans will want to stay in their seats at the break with UH Mariachi Pumas performing at halftime.
HOUSTON in NATIONAL RANKINGS
• Checking in at #5 in both the Associated Press and the USA TODAY Sports Coaches polls on Monday, the Cougars now own the nation's longest active streak with 75 consecutive weeks in the AP Top 25.
• Houston moved into the top spot after Gonzaga fell out of the Top 25 after 143 weeks.
• This marked the seventh consecutive week in which the Cougars stood among the AP Top Five in 2023-24. It also marked the 30th straight week in which Houston was ranked among the Top 10.
• The Cougars are 16-5 when competing as the #5 (AP) team in their history and have won their last three games in that position.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Wednesday's game on ESPNU with Rich Hollenberg (play-by-play) and Fran Fraschilla (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Wednesday's game on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) 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 TEXAS TECH
• Texas Tech brings a 14-2 overall record and 3-0 Big 12 mark into Wednesday's game inside Fertitta Center
• Texas Tech is tied with Baylor for the league lead with its 3-0 record.
• The Red Raiders are ranked #25 in both the Associated Press poll and USA TODAY Sports Coaches polls.
• Texas Tech is 1-1 in road games and 4-2 in non-home games during the 2023-24 season.
• The Red Raiders have won their last nine and 11 of their last 12 games. Only a 103-95 loss in overtime at Butler on Nov. 30 prevents a longer streak.
• In its most recent action, Texas Tech enjoyed a 60-59 win over Kansas State in Lubbock, Texas, on Jan,. 13. Senior guard Joe Toussaint scored the game-winning point with 30 seconds remaining.
• Against Kansas State, Toussaint led the Red Raiders with 12 points while senior forward Warren Washington totaled 11 points with a team-high eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Darrion Williams and sophomore guard Pop Isaacs finished with 10 points apiece with Williams adding six rebounds and two assists.
• This season, Isaacs leads Texas Tech with 16.3 points per game. Toussaint averages 14.1 points per game while senior forward Devan Cambridge totals 10.5 points per contest. Washington stands fourth on the team with 10.0 points per game and leads the Red Raiders with 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
• Head Coach Grant McCasland is in his first season at Texas Tech and his 10th season as a collegiate head coach.
• McCasland has posted a 14-2 record with Texas Tech and is 225-91 during his career.
• McCasland previously built a 135-65 record at North Texas (2017-23, a 20-12 mark at Arkansas State (2016-17) and a 56-12 record at Midwestern State (2009-11).
• Wednesday's game will be the first time McCasland has faced Houston during his career.
• Wednesday's game will be the first time McCasland has faced Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 1999 graduate of Baylor.
SERIES HISTORY vs. TEXAS TECH
• Houston owns a 29-27 lead in the series history against Texas Tech.
• Wednesday's game will be the lone regular-season meetings against Texas Tech during the 2023-24 season.
• Wednesday's game will be the first meeting since the 2020-21 season.
• Houston has won the last two meetings against the Red Raiders. Those wins snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Red Raiders
• The series was played at least once every year from 1974-75 through 1995-96. The schools played at least twice a year as members of the Southwest Conference from 1975-76 through 1995-96.
• In the most recent meeting, Houston enjoyed a 64-53 win in the Southwest Showcase Title Game inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Nov, 29, 2020.
• In the first meeting, Texas Tech claimed a 69-67 win in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Consolation in Lawrence, Kan., on March 18, 1961.
• Texas Tech's last win in the series was a 76-64 decision in the Progressive Legends Classic Championship Round inside Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Nov. 26, 2013.
at Home: Houston owns an 16-7 lead in the series history against Texas Tech in games played on the Cougars' home court.
• Texas Tech has won the last two meetings on the Cougars' home court. Those wins snapped the Cougars' eight-game home winning streak against the Red Raiders.
• Wednesday's game will be the first time the Cougars have faced Texas Tech in Houston since a 71-64 loss at Compaq Center on Dec. 14, 2001.
• Wednesday's game will be the first time the Cougars have faced Texas Tech on Houston's home court since a 93-84 Red Raider win in Hofheinz Pavilion on Feb. 17, 1996.
• Houston's last home win over Texas Tech was a 76-64 victory in Hofheinz Pavilion on Feb. 12, 1994.
in Fertitta Center: Wednesday's game will be the first time Houston has faced Texas Tech in Fertitta Center.
UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, continue its homestand when it meets UCF at 1 p.m., Saturday, inside Fertitta Center in Houston.
• That game will be part of a doubleheader with Houston Women's Basketball, which faces Oklahoma at 6 p.m., Saturday.
• From there, Houston takes on #18/17 BYU at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 23, inside Marriott Center in Provo, Utah.
• That game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• The Cougars return to Fertitta Center to play host to Kansas State at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 27.
• That game can be seen on ESPN or ESPN2
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise and by joining the 50-50 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Men's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
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.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on X, formerly known as 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
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