University of Houston Athletics
PREVIEW: #7/7 Men’s Basketball Begins Big 12 Homestand
1/12/2026 4:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Preview – Coach Kelvin Sampson vs. West Virginia (YouTube)Digital Game ProgramWatch (FS1)Listen (950 AM KPRC)Listen (Varsity Network app)Live Stats (StatBroadcast)Listen (SiriusXM Ch. 117 or Ch. 198)Houston Game Notes (PDF)West Virginia Game Notes (PDF)Big 12 Notes (PDF)
Cougars meet West Virginia at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, in Fertitta Center before hosting Arizona State on Sunday
HOUSTON – After winning two of its first three Big 12 Conference games on the road, the #7/7 University of Houston Men's Basketball program returns to the Fertitta Center for a brief homestand this week.
The Cougars start their home swing when they play host to West Virginia at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, inside Fertitta Center in a game presented by Trust Guss injury lawyers.
Houston enters the first of this week's games following an impressive 77-55 win over Baylor in Waco, Texas, on Saturday afternoon. It was the Cougars' ninth straight win and extended their school and Big 12-record road winning streak to 16 consecutive games, the nation's longest active streak.
Senior guard Emanuel Sharp led five Cougars in double-digit points with 17 while freshman guard Isiah Harwell added a career-high-tying four 3-pointers. Junior forward Joseph Tugler added 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for his second straight double-double, a first in his award-winning career.
HOUSTON BLUE UNIFORMS
• For the second straight season, Houston Men's Basketball will wear Houston Blue during a home game inside Fertitta Center.
• For the first time, the Cougars will predominantly white uniforms with Houston Blue as an accent color.
• All fans are encouraged to join the fun and wear their Houston Blue merchandise to Tuesday's game. Houston Blue merchandise will be available to purchase inside the Team Shop in Fertitta Center.
• University of Houston Athletics, in paying homage to the City of Houston, adopted Houston Blue into its uniform selections with teams wearing commemorative uniforms on select occasions.
• Fans can find merchandise in person and online through the University of Houston Bookstore. Apparel also is available at Houston-area Academy Sports + Outdoors, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Rally House and Nike as well as in the Fertitta Center Team Shop on game days.
• Fans can also find the merchandise at Fanatics (e-commerce only). For more information on officially licensed retailers and points of sale, visit uh.edu/houston-blue.
PROMOTIONS
• Tuesday's game is presented by Trust Guss injury lawyers.
• Fans can view Tuesday's digital game program by clicking here.
• Prior to the game, Houston Baseball alum and guitarist Tre Jones will perform the national anthem.
• Prior to tipoff, Houston fan (and celebrating his birthday Tuesday) Jayme Hollingsworth will lead Houston fans in the Whose House? Coogs' House chant.
• At the Under-12 time out in the first half, the University of Houston Bauer Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship will be recognized for being ranked No. 1 nationally for the seventh consecutive year.
NOTES
• Tuesday's game will be the 400th in Head Coach Kelvin Sampson's career with the Cougars. During his time in Houston, Sampson has led the Cougars to a 314-85 record, including a 117-7 mark inside Fertitta Center, with two NCAA Final Four appearances (2025, 2021), seven straight NCAA Tournament berths, nine regular-season and conference tournament championships and 11 National Coach of the Year honors.
• The Cougars will put their current 13-game home winning streak on the line against West Virginia. Houston has won 46 of its last 47 home games inside Fertitta Center and is the only team in NCAA Division I with current home AND road winning streaks of 13+ games.
• With Monday's national rankings, the Cougars have been ranked in each of the last 116 Associated Press polls for the nation's longest active streak and the 14th longest streak in NCAA history.
BUY TICKETS
Single-game home tickets for all games inside Fertitta Center are now on sale, and fans are encouraged to purchase quickly while supplies last. The two-time defending Big 12 Conference Champions, Houston will play host to eight more conference games in 2025-26.
Fans interested in purchasing group tickets may complete this form to be contacted by a member of the Houston Athletics Tickets Sales staff.
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 Tuesday's game on FS1 with Jason Benetti (play-by-play) and Bill Raftery (analyst) calling.
• Fans can hear Tuesday's game on 950 AM KPRC, the Varsity Network app and SiriusXM Ch. 117 or Ch. 198 with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (analyst) calling. The pregame show begins at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday.
• Fans can follow live stats from Tuesday's game on StatBroadcast.
ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA
• West Virginia enters Tuesday's game with an 11-5 overall record. The Mountaineers are 2-1 in Big 12 Conference play to tie for fifth.
• West Virginia has won its last two games and three of its last four. Only an 80-59 loss at Iowa State on January 2 prevents a longer streak.
• West Virginia is 0-1 in road games this season.
• In its most recent action, West Virginia claimed an 86-75 win over Kansas inside WVU Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. Trailing by four at halftime, the Mountaineers outscored Kansas by 15 in the second half to take the win.
• Against Kansas, senior guard Honor Huff scored 23 points with four 3-pointers and added seven rebounds. Senior forward Brenen Lorient totaled 18 points with a game-high six assists, two rebounds and a block and steal. Senior forward Treysen Eaglestaff posted 12 points with four rebounds and a pair of assists, and senior center Harlan Obioha added 11 points with two rebounds and a team-high two blocked shots.
• This season, Huff leads the Mountaineers with 17.5 points per game. Fifth-year guard Chance Moore stands second with 12.3 points per game and is a close second with 5.80 rebounds per game. Lorient is third on the team with 106 points per game while Obioha is tops with 5.81 rebounds per contest. Senior guard Jasper Floyd leads the team with 2.0 steals per game.
• Head Coach Ross Hodge is in his first season at West Virginia and his third year as a collegiate head coach.
• Hodge has built an 11-5 record with West Virginia and is 57-29 during his career.
• He previously posted a 19-15 record at North Texas (2023-24).
• Tuesday's game will be the first time that Hodge has faced during his career.
• Tuesday's game will be the first time that Hodge has faced Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• Hodge is a 2003 graduate of East Texas A&M.
SERIES HISTORY vs. WEST VIRGINIA
• Houston owns a 3-0 lead against West Virginia in the series, which began during the 2023-24 season.
• Tuesday's game will be the lone regular-season meeting against the Mountaineers during the 2025-26 season.
• This marks the third straight season in which the Cougars will face West Virginia as Big 12 Conference rivals.
• Tuesday's game marks the fourth straight encounter in which Houston was ranked. The Cougars are 3-0 in those games.
• In the most recent meeting, #6/5 Houston claimed a 63-49 win over rv/rv West Virginia inside WVU Coliseum on January 29, 2025.
• In the series' first meeting, #3/3 Houston enjoyed an 89-55 win over the Mountaineers inside Fertitta Center on January 6, 2024.
in Fertitta Center: Houston owns a 2-0 lead against West Virginia in home games played inside Fertitta Center during the series history.
• In the most recent home meeting, #10/8 Houston enjoyed a 70-54 win against th rv/#25 Mountaineers inside Fertitta Center on January 15, 2025.
• In the first home encounter, #3/3 Houston took an 89-55 win inside Fertitta Center on January 6, 2024.
UP NEXT
• Following Tuesday's game, Houston continues its homestand when it welcomes Big 12-rival Arizona State to Fertitta Center on Sunday.
• Tipoff time for that game has not been finalized with the game airing on ESPN or ESPN2.
• Houston wraps up the regular-season series against #14/14 Texas Tech when it meets the Red Raiders at 5:30 p.m., January 24 in Lubbock, Texas. That game will air on ESPN.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC, the Varsity Network app and Sirius XM Radio.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by providing NIL opportunities 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 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 start their home swing when they play host to West Virginia at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, inside Fertitta Center in a game presented by Trust Guss injury lawyers.
Houston enters the first of this week's games following an impressive 77-55 win over Baylor in Waco, Texas, on Saturday afternoon. It was the Cougars' ninth straight win and extended their school and Big 12-record road winning streak to 16 consecutive games, the nation's longest active streak.
Senior guard Emanuel Sharp led five Cougars in double-digit points with 17 while freshman guard Isiah Harwell added a career-high-tying four 3-pointers. Junior forward Joseph Tugler added 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for his second straight double-double, a first in his award-winning career.
HOUSTON BLUE UNIFORMS
• For the second straight season, Houston Men's Basketball will wear Houston Blue during a home game inside Fertitta Center.
• For the first time, the Cougars will predominantly white uniforms with Houston Blue as an accent color.
• All fans are encouraged to join the fun and wear their Houston Blue merchandise to Tuesday's game. Houston Blue merchandise will be available to purchase inside the Team Shop in Fertitta Center.
• University of Houston Athletics, in paying homage to the City of Houston, adopted Houston Blue into its uniform selections with teams wearing commemorative uniforms on select occasions.
• Fans can find merchandise in person and online through the University of Houston Bookstore. Apparel also is available at Houston-area Academy Sports + Outdoors, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Rally House and Nike as well as in the Fertitta Center Team Shop on game days.
• Fans can also find the merchandise at Fanatics (e-commerce only). For more information on officially licensed retailers and points of sale, visit uh.edu/houston-blue.
PROMOTIONS
• Tuesday's game is presented by Trust Guss injury lawyers.
• Fans can view Tuesday's digital game program by clicking here.
• Prior to the game, Houston Baseball alum and guitarist Tre Jones will perform the national anthem.
• Prior to tipoff, Houston fan (and celebrating his birthday Tuesday) Jayme Hollingsworth will lead Houston fans in the Whose House? Coogs' House chant.
• At the Under-12 time out in the first half, the University of Houston Bauer Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship will be recognized for being ranked No. 1 nationally for the seventh consecutive year.
NOTES
• Tuesday's game will be the 400th in Head Coach Kelvin Sampson's career with the Cougars. During his time in Houston, Sampson has led the Cougars to a 314-85 record, including a 117-7 mark inside Fertitta Center, with two NCAA Final Four appearances (2025, 2021), seven straight NCAA Tournament berths, nine regular-season and conference tournament championships and 11 National Coach of the Year honors.
• The Cougars will put their current 13-game home winning streak on the line against West Virginia. Houston has won 46 of its last 47 home games inside Fertitta Center and is the only team in NCAA Division I with current home AND road winning streaks of 13+ games.
• With Monday's national rankings, the Cougars have been ranked in each of the last 116 Associated Press polls for the nation's longest active streak and the 14th longest streak in NCAA history.
BUY TICKETS
Single-game home tickets for all games inside Fertitta Center are now on sale, and fans are encouraged to purchase quickly while supplies last. The two-time defending Big 12 Conference Champions, Houston will play host to eight more conference games in 2025-26.
Fans interested in purchasing group tickets may complete this form to be contacted by a member of the Houston Athletics Tickets Sales staff.
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 Tuesday's game on FS1 with Jason Benetti (play-by-play) and Bill Raftery (analyst) calling.
• Fans can hear Tuesday's game on 950 AM KPRC, the Varsity Network app and SiriusXM Ch. 117 or Ch. 198 with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (analyst) calling. The pregame show begins at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday.
• Fans can follow live stats from Tuesday's game on StatBroadcast.
ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA
• West Virginia enters Tuesday's game with an 11-5 overall record. The Mountaineers are 2-1 in Big 12 Conference play to tie for fifth.
• West Virginia has won its last two games and three of its last four. Only an 80-59 loss at Iowa State on January 2 prevents a longer streak.
• West Virginia is 0-1 in road games this season.
• In its most recent action, West Virginia claimed an 86-75 win over Kansas inside WVU Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. Trailing by four at halftime, the Mountaineers outscored Kansas by 15 in the second half to take the win.
• Against Kansas, senior guard Honor Huff scored 23 points with four 3-pointers and added seven rebounds. Senior forward Brenen Lorient totaled 18 points with a game-high six assists, two rebounds and a block and steal. Senior forward Treysen Eaglestaff posted 12 points with four rebounds and a pair of assists, and senior center Harlan Obioha added 11 points with two rebounds and a team-high two blocked shots.
• This season, Huff leads the Mountaineers with 17.5 points per game. Fifth-year guard Chance Moore stands second with 12.3 points per game and is a close second with 5.80 rebounds per game. Lorient is third on the team with 106 points per game while Obioha is tops with 5.81 rebounds per contest. Senior guard Jasper Floyd leads the team with 2.0 steals per game.
• Head Coach Ross Hodge is in his first season at West Virginia and his third year as a collegiate head coach.
• Hodge has built an 11-5 record with West Virginia and is 57-29 during his career.
• He previously posted a 19-15 record at North Texas (2023-24).
• Tuesday's game will be the first time that Hodge has faced during his career.
• Tuesday's game will be the first time that Hodge has faced Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• Hodge is a 2003 graduate of East Texas A&M.
SERIES HISTORY vs. WEST VIRGINIA
• Houston owns a 3-0 lead against West Virginia in the series, which began during the 2023-24 season.
• Tuesday's game will be the lone regular-season meeting against the Mountaineers during the 2025-26 season.
• This marks the third straight season in which the Cougars will face West Virginia as Big 12 Conference rivals.
• Tuesday's game marks the fourth straight encounter in which Houston was ranked. The Cougars are 3-0 in those games.
• In the most recent meeting, #6/5 Houston claimed a 63-49 win over rv/rv West Virginia inside WVU Coliseum on January 29, 2025.
• In the series' first meeting, #3/3 Houston enjoyed an 89-55 win over the Mountaineers inside Fertitta Center on January 6, 2024.
in Fertitta Center: Houston owns a 2-0 lead against West Virginia in home games played inside Fertitta Center during the series history.
• In the most recent home meeting, #10/8 Houston enjoyed a 70-54 win against th rv/#25 Mountaineers inside Fertitta Center on January 15, 2025.
• In the first home encounter, #3/3 Houston took an 89-55 win inside Fertitta Center on January 6, 2024.
UP NEXT
• Following Tuesday's game, Houston continues its homestand when it welcomes Big 12-rival Arizona State to Fertitta Center on Sunday.
• Tipoff time for that game has not been finalized with the game airing on ESPN or ESPN2.
• Houston wraps up the regular-season series against #14/14 Texas Tech when it meets the Red Raiders at 5:30 p.m., January 24 in Lubbock, Texas. That game will air on ESPN.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC, the Varsity Network app and Sirius XM Radio.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by providing NIL opportunities 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 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
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballPREVIEW – Coach Kelvin Sampson vs. West Virginia (January 12, 2026)
Monday, January 12
HIGHLIGHTS – at Baylor (January 10, 2026)
Sunday, January 11
Houston Blue Uniforms
Sunday, January 11
POSTGAME – at Baylor (January 10, 2026)
Saturday, January 10