University of Houston Athletics
Sunday, October 27
Houston, Texas
4 p.m.
University of Houston
vs
Texas A&M
#4/4 Men’s Basketball Faces #13/15 Texas A&M on Sunday
10/26/2024 12:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Tickets & Parking PassesPreview – Coach Kelvin Sampson (YouTube)Watch (ESPN+)Listen (950 AM KPRC)Varsity Network AppLive Stats (StatBroadcast)Houston Game Notes (PDF)Texas A&M Statistics (PDF)
Charity exhibition game will benefit Greater Houston Disaster Alliance Hurricane Beryl Recovery Fund
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program begins its 2024-25 season when it plays host to #13/15 Texas A&M at 4 p.m., Sunday, inside Fertitta Center in a charity exhibition game.
Proceeds from the game will benefit the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance Hurricane Beryl Recovery Fund, which assists those who were affected by the storm.
The Greater Houston Disaster Alliance is a partnership between the Greater Houston Community Foundation and the United Way of Greater Houston, both of which are 501I(3) nonprofit organizations.
A year ago, the Cougars faced the Aggies in a pair of thrilling matchups. Houston claimed a 70-66 win inside Toyota Center during The Halal Guys Showcase as guard Emanuel Sharp poured in 21 points with six rebounds and five 3-pointers while forward J'Wan Roberts flirted with a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and a game-high seven assists.
In the postseason, the Cougars clawed to a 100-95 win in overtime as Sharp struck for career highs with 30 points and seven 3-pointers inside FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., during the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 to send Houston to the Sweet 16 for the school-record fifth consecutive season.
BUY 2024-25 TICKETS
Fans can purchase tickets and parking passes for the Cougars' Oct. 27 charity exhibition game against Texas A&M inside Fertitta Center by clicking here.
Non-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List by clicking here.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Sunday's game on ESPN+ with Matt Thomas (play-by-play), Reid Gettys (analyst) and Austyn Iven (reporter) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Sunday's game on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes calling the action. The pregame show begins at 3:45 p.m., Sunday.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
ABOUT the COUGARS
Houston recently was tabbed at #4 in both the Associated Press and USA TODAY Sports Coaches preseason Top 25 polls. This marked the eighth straight season under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson in which the Cougars were ranked in at least one poll and the third year with a Top-10 preseason ranking.
Four starters and nine lettermen return from the Cougars' 2023-24 squad which posted a 32-5 overall record, captured the Big 12 Conference regular-season championship with a 15-3 mark despite a 1-2 start in the league, advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth straight season and competed in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the fifth consecutive year.
The Cougars recently were picked to finish a close second in the Big 12 Conference Coaches Preseason Poll. Roberts and Cryer were named to the Preseason All-Big 12 First Team, making Houston the only school to earn that distinction.
It was the sixth consecutive season in which Houston was tabbed among the Top Two in its conference preseason poll. The Cougars were picked as favorites in each of their final four seasons in the American Athletic Conference.
KENPOM.COM PRESEASON RATINGS
• Houston is one of nine teams to rank among the Top-20 national leaders in KenPom.com's preseason offensive AND defensive ratings.
• The Cougars were one of five teams to rank among the Top-10 national leaders in KenPom.com's preseason offensive AND defensive ratings.
• But only school ranked among the Top-Five national leaders in KenPom.com's preseason offensive AND defensive ratings… and that was the University of Houston.
LOOKING SHARP vs. AGGIES
• Guard Emanuel Sharp enjoyed two of the top performances of his career in a pair of wins against Texas A&M a year ago.
• Sharp averaged 25.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while hitting 45.5 percent of his shots from the field, including 44.4 percent from behind the arc, and 90.0 percent from the free throw line.
• The Halal Guys Showcase (W, 70-66 • Dec. 16, 2023) – Scored the Cougars' final five points, including a 3-pointer with 29 seconds left and the shot clock winding down to give Houston a five-point lead... Drained a pair of free throws with five seconds left for the final margin of victory.
• NCAA Tournament Round of 32 (W, 100-95 (OT) • March 24, 2024) – Posted a Houston season-high 30 points, thanks to a career-high seven 3-pointers, inside FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
ABOUT TEXAS A&M
• Texas A&M is ranked #13 in the Associated Press preseason poll and #15 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches preseason poll.
• In 2023-24, Texas A&M finished with a 21-15 overall record and 9-9 SEC mark.
• Texas A&M tied for seventh with LSU in the final regular-season standings and played as a #9 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
• The Aggies posted a 6-6 record in road games and were 11-10 in non-home games in 2023-24.
• Texas A&M dropped two of its last three games to end the season a year ago, including a 100-95 in overtime to Houston in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 inside FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. on March 24.
• Senior guard Wade Taylor led the Aggies with 19.1 points, 4.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Henry Coleman III averaged 8.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and a team-best 1.1 blocks per game while forward Solomon Washington totaled 7.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest. Senior forward Andersson Garcia led Texas A&M with 9.1 rebounds per game.
• Head Coach Buzz Williams is in his sixth season at Texas A&M and his 18th as a collegiate head coach.
• Williams has posted a 95-62 record with Texas A&M and is 348-217 during his career.
• Previously built a 100-69 record at Virginia Tech (2014-19), a 139-69 mark at Marquette (2008-14) and a 14-17 mark at New Orleans (2006-07).
• Williams is 0-2 against Houston during his career.
• Williams is 0-2 against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 1994 graduate of Oklahoma City.
SERIES HISTORY vs. TEXAS A&M
• Houston owns a 55-32 lead against Texas A&M in the series, which began during the 1946-47 season.
• At 87 games, Texas A&M is the second-most played opponent in school history. Only SMU's 92 games (Houston leads 54-32) rank higher. Rice is a close third with 84 games (Houston leads 66-18).
• Houston has won the last two games after sweeping both meetings during the 2023-24 season. Those wins snapped a three-game losing streak to the Aggies and were the first wins against Texas A&M since a 70-61 decision in overtime inside Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston on Dec. 27, 2003.
• The two schools met at least twice a year every season from 1975-76 through 1995-96 as Southwest Conference members. The Cougars and Aggies also met at least once a year every season from 1950-51 through 1965-66.
at Home: Houston owns a 35-9 lead against Texas A&M in games played in Houston.
• Houston has won three of the last four home meetings and 11 of the last 13 against Texas A&M.
• However, the Aggies can boast of the most recent success after taking a 70-58 win inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Dec. 1, 2012).
• The Cougars' last home win against Texas A&M was a 70-61 win in overtime inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Dec. 27, 2003.
• In the first meeting against Texas A&M on the Cougars' home floor, Houston enjoyed a 62-46 win in Houston on Dec. 28, 1946.
in Fertitta Center: Sunday's game will be the first time Houston has faced Texas A&M inside Fertitta Center.
UP NEXT
• Following Sunday's exhibition, the Cougars open their regular season when they play host to Jackson State at 7 p.m., Monday, inside Fertitta Center.
From there, Houston meets #11/11 Auburn during the Mattress Firm Battleground 2k24 inside Toyota Center on Nov. 9. The Cougars will be the second game of a doubleheader inside Toyota Center in downtown Houston beginning at 8:30 p.m., with Rice facing Florida State in 6 p.m., in the first game.
Fans can purchase tickets for the Mattress Firm Battleground 2k24 by clicking here.
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 – 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.
Proceeds from the game will benefit the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance Hurricane Beryl Recovery Fund, which assists those who were affected by the storm.
The Greater Houston Disaster Alliance is a partnership between the Greater Houston Community Foundation and the United Way of Greater Houston, both of which are 501I(3) nonprofit organizations.
A year ago, the Cougars faced the Aggies in a pair of thrilling matchups. Houston claimed a 70-66 win inside Toyota Center during The Halal Guys Showcase as guard Emanuel Sharp poured in 21 points with six rebounds and five 3-pointers while forward J'Wan Roberts flirted with a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and a game-high seven assists.
In the postseason, the Cougars clawed to a 100-95 win in overtime as Sharp struck for career highs with 30 points and seven 3-pointers inside FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., during the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 to send Houston to the Sweet 16 for the school-record fifth consecutive season.
BUY 2024-25 TICKETS
Fans can purchase tickets and parking passes for the Cougars' Oct. 27 charity exhibition game against Texas A&M inside Fertitta Center by clicking here.
Non-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List by clicking here.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Sunday's game on ESPN+ with Matt Thomas (play-by-play), Reid Gettys (analyst) and Austyn Iven (reporter) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Sunday's game on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes calling the action. The pregame show begins at 3:45 p.m., Sunday.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
ABOUT the COUGARS
Houston recently was tabbed at #4 in both the Associated Press and USA TODAY Sports Coaches preseason Top 25 polls. This marked the eighth straight season under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson in which the Cougars were ranked in at least one poll and the third year with a Top-10 preseason ranking.
Four starters and nine lettermen return from the Cougars' 2023-24 squad which posted a 32-5 overall record, captured the Big 12 Conference regular-season championship with a 15-3 mark despite a 1-2 start in the league, advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth straight season and competed in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the fifth consecutive year.
The Cougars recently were picked to finish a close second in the Big 12 Conference Coaches Preseason Poll. Roberts and Cryer were named to the Preseason All-Big 12 First Team, making Houston the only school to earn that distinction.
It was the sixth consecutive season in which Houston was tabbed among the Top Two in its conference preseason poll. The Cougars were picked as favorites in each of their final four seasons in the American Athletic Conference.
KENPOM.COM PRESEASON RATINGS
• Houston is one of nine teams to rank among the Top-20 national leaders in KenPom.com's preseason offensive AND defensive ratings.
• The Cougars were one of five teams to rank among the Top-10 national leaders in KenPom.com's preseason offensive AND defensive ratings.
• But only school ranked among the Top-Five national leaders in KenPom.com's preseason offensive AND defensive ratings… and that was the University of Houston.
LOOKING SHARP vs. AGGIES
• Guard Emanuel Sharp enjoyed two of the top performances of his career in a pair of wins against Texas A&M a year ago.
• Sharp averaged 25.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while hitting 45.5 percent of his shots from the field, including 44.4 percent from behind the arc, and 90.0 percent from the free throw line.
• The Halal Guys Showcase (W, 70-66 • Dec. 16, 2023) – Scored the Cougars' final five points, including a 3-pointer with 29 seconds left and the shot clock winding down to give Houston a five-point lead... Drained a pair of free throws with five seconds left for the final margin of victory.
• NCAA Tournament Round of 32 (W, 100-95 (OT) • March 24, 2024) – Posted a Houston season-high 30 points, thanks to a career-high seven 3-pointers, inside FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
ABOUT TEXAS A&M
• Texas A&M is ranked #13 in the Associated Press preseason poll and #15 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches preseason poll.
• In 2023-24, Texas A&M finished with a 21-15 overall record and 9-9 SEC mark.
• Texas A&M tied for seventh with LSU in the final regular-season standings and played as a #9 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
• The Aggies posted a 6-6 record in road games and were 11-10 in non-home games in 2023-24.
• Texas A&M dropped two of its last three games to end the season a year ago, including a 100-95 in overtime to Houston in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 inside FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. on March 24.
• Senior guard Wade Taylor led the Aggies with 19.1 points, 4.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Henry Coleman III averaged 8.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and a team-best 1.1 blocks per game while forward Solomon Washington totaled 7.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest. Senior forward Andersson Garcia led Texas A&M with 9.1 rebounds per game.
• Head Coach Buzz Williams is in his sixth season at Texas A&M and his 18th as a collegiate head coach.
• Williams has posted a 95-62 record with Texas A&M and is 348-217 during his career.
• Previously built a 100-69 record at Virginia Tech (2014-19), a 139-69 mark at Marquette (2008-14) and a 14-17 mark at New Orleans (2006-07).
• Williams is 0-2 against Houston during his career.
• Williams is 0-2 against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 1994 graduate of Oklahoma City.
SERIES HISTORY vs. TEXAS A&M
• Houston owns a 55-32 lead against Texas A&M in the series, which began during the 1946-47 season.
• At 87 games, Texas A&M is the second-most played opponent in school history. Only SMU's 92 games (Houston leads 54-32) rank higher. Rice is a close third with 84 games (Houston leads 66-18).
• Houston has won the last two games after sweeping both meetings during the 2023-24 season. Those wins snapped a three-game losing streak to the Aggies and were the first wins against Texas A&M since a 70-61 decision in overtime inside Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston on Dec. 27, 2003.
• The two schools met at least twice a year every season from 1975-76 through 1995-96 as Southwest Conference members. The Cougars and Aggies also met at least once a year every season from 1950-51 through 1965-66.
at Home: Houston owns a 35-9 lead against Texas A&M in games played in Houston.
• Houston has won three of the last four home meetings and 11 of the last 13 against Texas A&M.
• However, the Aggies can boast of the most recent success after taking a 70-58 win inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Dec. 1, 2012).
• The Cougars' last home win against Texas A&M was a 70-61 win in overtime inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Dec. 27, 2003.
• In the first meeting against Texas A&M on the Cougars' home floor, Houston enjoyed a 62-46 win in Houston on Dec. 28, 1946.
in Fertitta Center: Sunday's game will be the first time Houston has faced Texas A&M inside Fertitta Center.
UP NEXT
• Following Sunday's exhibition, the Cougars open their regular season when they play host to Jackson State at 7 p.m., Monday, inside Fertitta Center.
From there, Houston meets #11/11 Auburn during the Mattress Firm Battleground 2k24 inside Toyota Center on Nov. 9. The Cougars will be the second game of a doubleheader inside Toyota Center in downtown Houston beginning at 8:30 p.m., with Rice facing Florida State in 6 p.m., in the first game.
Fans can purchase tickets for the Mattress Firm Battleground 2k24 by clicking here.
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 – 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 –
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