University of Houston Athletics
Saturday, January 31
Houston
11 a.m.
University of Houston
vs
Cincinnati
PREVIEW: #10/7 Men’s Basketball Returns to Fertitta Center
1/30/2026 1:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Digital Game ProgramPreview – Coach Kelvin Sampson (YouTube)Watch (FOX)Listen (950 AM KPRC)Listen (Varsity Network app) Listen (SiriusXM Ch. 84)Live Stats (StatBroadcast)Houston Game Notes (PDF)Cincinnati Game Notes (PDF)Big 12 Notes (PDF)
Cougars meet Cincinnati at 11 a.m., Saturday, in Big 12 Conference showdown
HOUSTON – Winners of 12 of its last 13 games, the #10/7 University of Houston Men's Basketball program returns to the friendly confines of the Fertitta Center to play host to a pair of home games beginning this weekend.
The Cougars start the brief homestand when they face Cincinnati at 11 a.m., Saturday, in a game presented by Group 1 Automotive. This will be the second regular-season meeting of the season against the Bearcats after Houston took a 67-60 win in the Big 12 Conference opener for both teams in Cincinnati on January 3.
Houston enters this weekend's game following a 79-70 win at Big 12 rival TCU on Wednesday night. Freshman point guard Kingston Flemings led all players with 27 points for his third straight 20-point game and team-leading ninth of the season.
Senior guard Emanuel Sharp added 20 points with a pair of 3-pointers and only needs 11 more treys to surpass guard Marcus Sasser and set the Houston career record.
Freshman center/forward Chris Cenac Jr. led all players against the Horned Frogs with a career-high 14 rebounds and tied his career high with three steals. The New Orleans native recorded his team-leading eighth game with double-digit rebounds and ranks among the Big 12 Top-10 leaders with 7.9 rebounds per contest.
PROMOTIONS
• Saturday's game is presented by Group 1 Automotive.
• Fans can view Saturday's digital game program by clicking here.
• During pregame, fans will be able to take photos with mascots from various Houston sport teams and organizations in the Cub Zone behind Section 109.
• Fans will enjoy halftime as mascots from various Houston sport teams and organizations compete in the Minky Couture Bed Race.
• Prior to the game, saxophonist Trenton Whitehead will perform the national anthem.
NOTES
• The Cougars have won their last 15 home games inside Fertitta Center. That ranks as the nation's 12th-longest active streak.
• Houston has posted a 119-7 (.944) record in Fertitta Center during the facility's history. The Cougars have won 48 of their last 49 home games. Only an 82-81 loss to #22/19 Texas Tech on February 1, 2025, prevents a longer streak.
• Houston has been ranked in the last 118 Associated Press polls for the nation's longest active streak. The Cougars' 23 straight weeks in the AP Top 10 is the nation's second-longest current streak.
• With 42 points against #12/12 Texas Tech on January 24, Flemings became the 12th Cougar in school history 40+ points in a game. He set the Houston freshman single-game scoring record, moving past guard Rob Williams' 34 points against Rice on February 25, 1980.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Saturday's game on FOX with Kevin Kugler (play-by-play) and Laphonso Ellis (analyst).
• Fans can hear Saturday's game on 950 AM KPRC, the Varsity Network app and SiriusXM Ch. 84 with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Elvin Hayes (analyst). The pregame show begins at 10:45 a.m., Saturday.
• Fans can follow live stats from Saturday's game on StatBroadcast.
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 six 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.
ABOUT CINCINNATI
• Cincinnati enters Saturday's game with a 13-7 overall record. The Bearcats are 3-5 in Big 12 Conference play to tie with TCU for ninth.
• Cincinnati has won three of its last five games, including a 67-57 home win over Baylor inside Fifth Third Arena on Wednesday.
• The Bearcats are 0-5 in road games this season.
• Against Baylor, senior forward Baba Miller led all players with 18 points and 17 rebounds while dishing out three assists. Junior guard Jizzle James posted 17 points with five 3-pointers and grabbed four rebounds while sophomore center Moustapha Thiam totaled 14 points with four rebounds in the win.
• This season, Miller leads Cincinnati with 14.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Graduate guard Day Day Thomas and Thiam are tied for second with 11.2 points per game with Thiam grabbing 6.1 rebounds per contest and Thomas dishing out a team-high 3.8 assists per game. James stands fourth among the Bearcats with 10.5 points per game.
• Head Coach Wes Miller is in his fifth season at Cincinnati and his 15th year as a collegiate head coach.
• Miller has built a 93-69 record with Cincinnati and is 278-204 during his career.
• He previously posted a 185-135 record at UNC Greensboro (2011-21).
• Miller has posted an 0-10 record against Houston during his career.
• He has posted an 0-10 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers with Cincinnati and Houston, respectively.
• Miller is a 2007 graduate of North Carolina.
SERIES HISTORY vs. CINCINNATI
• Cincinnati owns a 33-18 lead in the series, which began during the 1957-58 season.
• Saturday's game will be the second of two regular-season meetings against the Bearcats during the 2025-26 season. Houston enjoyed a 67-60 win over the Bearcats inside Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati in the Big 12 season opener for both schools on January 3.
• At 51 games, the series against Cincinnati is the 10th-most played in Houston history.
• This marks the 13th straight season in which the Cougars will face Cincinnati as conference rivals. The two schools competed as American Athletic Conference rivals from the 2013-14 season through the 2022-23 and are in their third year together in the Big 12 Conference. The schools also regularly squared off as Conference USA members from 1996-97 through the 2004-05 season.
• Saturday's game marks the 18th straight encounter against Cincinnati in which Houston was ranked in the Associated Press poll. Houston owns a 15-3 record in those games.
• Houston has won the last 13 meetings against Cincinnati. The Bearcats' last win was a 64-62 decision in Cincinnati on February 1, 2020.
• In the most recent meeting, #8/8 Houston enjoyed a 67-60 win at Cincinnati inside Fifth Third Arena in the Big 12 season opener for both schools on January 3.
• In the series' first meeting, the Cougars fell 70-53 in Houston on December 21, 1957.
at Home: Cincinnati owns a 14-10 lead in games played in Houston during the series history.
• Houston has won the last eight home meetings and nine of the last 10. Only a 67-68 loss inside Hofheinz Pavilion on January 7, 2017, prevents a longer streak.
• In the most recent home meeting, then-#4/4 Houston took a 73-64 win inside Fertitta Center on March 1 2025.
• In the first home encounter, the Cougars dropped a 70-53 decision in Houston on December 21, 1957, in the first meeting in the series history.
in Fertitta Center: The Cougars have posted a 7-0 record against Cincinnati in games played inside Fertitta Center in Houston.
• In the most recent home meeting, then-#4/4 Houston took a 73-64 win inside Fertitta Center on March 1 2025.
• In the first meeting in Fertitta Center, then #12/12 Houston enjoyed a 65-58 win over then-#25/23 Cincinnati on February 10, 2019.
UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, Houston continues its home stand in Fertitta Center to play host to UCF at 6 p.m., Wednesday, inside Fertitta Center. That game will air on FS1.
• Following that game, the Cougars will take a swing through the state of Utah with a pair of games.
• The road trip begins at 9:30 p.m. (CST), February 7, against #13/13 BYU inside Marriott Center in Provo, Utah. That game will air on ESPN.
• From there, the Cougars will meet Utah at 8 p.m. (CST), February 10, inside Jon M. Huntsman Center. That game will air on ESPN or ESPN2.
• 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 the brief homestand when they face Cincinnati at 11 a.m., Saturday, in a game presented by Group 1 Automotive. This will be the second regular-season meeting of the season against the Bearcats after Houston took a 67-60 win in the Big 12 Conference opener for both teams in Cincinnati on January 3.
Houston enters this weekend's game following a 79-70 win at Big 12 rival TCU on Wednesday night. Freshman point guard Kingston Flemings led all players with 27 points for his third straight 20-point game and team-leading ninth of the season.
Senior guard Emanuel Sharp added 20 points with a pair of 3-pointers and only needs 11 more treys to surpass guard Marcus Sasser and set the Houston career record.
Freshman center/forward Chris Cenac Jr. led all players against the Horned Frogs with a career-high 14 rebounds and tied his career high with three steals. The New Orleans native recorded his team-leading eighth game with double-digit rebounds and ranks among the Big 12 Top-10 leaders with 7.9 rebounds per contest.
PROMOTIONS
• Saturday's game is presented by Group 1 Automotive.
• Fans can view Saturday's digital game program by clicking here.
• During pregame, fans will be able to take photos with mascots from various Houston sport teams and organizations in the Cub Zone behind Section 109.
• Fans will enjoy halftime as mascots from various Houston sport teams and organizations compete in the Minky Couture Bed Race.
• Prior to the game, saxophonist Trenton Whitehead will perform the national anthem.
NOTES
• The Cougars have won their last 15 home games inside Fertitta Center. That ranks as the nation's 12th-longest active streak.
• Houston has posted a 119-7 (.944) record in Fertitta Center during the facility's history. The Cougars have won 48 of their last 49 home games. Only an 82-81 loss to #22/19 Texas Tech on February 1, 2025, prevents a longer streak.
• Houston has been ranked in the last 118 Associated Press polls for the nation's longest active streak. The Cougars' 23 straight weeks in the AP Top 10 is the nation's second-longest current streak.
• With 42 points against #12/12 Texas Tech on January 24, Flemings became the 12th Cougar in school history 40+ points in a game. He set the Houston freshman single-game scoring record, moving past guard Rob Williams' 34 points against Rice on February 25, 1980.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Saturday's game on FOX with Kevin Kugler (play-by-play) and Laphonso Ellis (analyst).
• Fans can hear Saturday's game on 950 AM KPRC, the Varsity Network app and SiriusXM Ch. 84 with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Elvin Hayes (analyst). The pregame show begins at 10:45 a.m., Saturday.
• Fans can follow live stats from Saturday's game on StatBroadcast.
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 six 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.
ABOUT CINCINNATI
• Cincinnati enters Saturday's game with a 13-7 overall record. The Bearcats are 3-5 in Big 12 Conference play to tie with TCU for ninth.
• Cincinnati has won three of its last five games, including a 67-57 home win over Baylor inside Fifth Third Arena on Wednesday.
• The Bearcats are 0-5 in road games this season.
• Against Baylor, senior forward Baba Miller led all players with 18 points and 17 rebounds while dishing out three assists. Junior guard Jizzle James posted 17 points with five 3-pointers and grabbed four rebounds while sophomore center Moustapha Thiam totaled 14 points with four rebounds in the win.
• This season, Miller leads Cincinnati with 14.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Graduate guard Day Day Thomas and Thiam are tied for second with 11.2 points per game with Thiam grabbing 6.1 rebounds per contest and Thomas dishing out a team-high 3.8 assists per game. James stands fourth among the Bearcats with 10.5 points per game.
• Head Coach Wes Miller is in his fifth season at Cincinnati and his 15th year as a collegiate head coach.
• Miller has built a 93-69 record with Cincinnati and is 278-204 during his career.
• He previously posted a 185-135 record at UNC Greensboro (2011-21).
• Miller has posted an 0-10 record against Houston during his career.
• He has posted an 0-10 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers with Cincinnati and Houston, respectively.
• Miller is a 2007 graduate of North Carolina.
SERIES HISTORY vs. CINCINNATI
• Cincinnati owns a 33-18 lead in the series, which began during the 1957-58 season.
• Saturday's game will be the second of two regular-season meetings against the Bearcats during the 2025-26 season. Houston enjoyed a 67-60 win over the Bearcats inside Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati in the Big 12 season opener for both schools on January 3.
• At 51 games, the series against Cincinnati is the 10th-most played in Houston history.
• This marks the 13th straight season in which the Cougars will face Cincinnati as conference rivals. The two schools competed as American Athletic Conference rivals from the 2013-14 season through the 2022-23 and are in their third year together in the Big 12 Conference. The schools also regularly squared off as Conference USA members from 1996-97 through the 2004-05 season.
• Saturday's game marks the 18th straight encounter against Cincinnati in which Houston was ranked in the Associated Press poll. Houston owns a 15-3 record in those games.
• Houston has won the last 13 meetings against Cincinnati. The Bearcats' last win was a 64-62 decision in Cincinnati on February 1, 2020.
• In the most recent meeting, #8/8 Houston enjoyed a 67-60 win at Cincinnati inside Fifth Third Arena in the Big 12 season opener for both schools on January 3.
• In the series' first meeting, the Cougars fell 70-53 in Houston on December 21, 1957.
at Home: Cincinnati owns a 14-10 lead in games played in Houston during the series history.
• Houston has won the last eight home meetings and nine of the last 10. Only a 67-68 loss inside Hofheinz Pavilion on January 7, 2017, prevents a longer streak.
• In the most recent home meeting, then-#4/4 Houston took a 73-64 win inside Fertitta Center on March 1 2025.
• In the first home encounter, the Cougars dropped a 70-53 decision in Houston on December 21, 1957, in the first meeting in the series history.
in Fertitta Center: The Cougars have posted a 7-0 record against Cincinnati in games played inside Fertitta Center in Houston.
• In the most recent home meeting, then-#4/4 Houston took a 73-64 win inside Fertitta Center on March 1 2025.
• In the first meeting in Fertitta Center, then #12/12 Houston enjoyed a 65-58 win over then-#25/23 Cincinnati on February 10, 2019.
UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, Houston continues its home stand in Fertitta Center to play host to UCF at 6 p.m., Wednesday, inside Fertitta Center. That game will air on FS1.
• Following that game, the Cougars will take a swing through the state of Utah with a pair of games.
• The road trip begins at 9:30 p.m. (CST), February 7, against #13/13 BYU inside Marriott Center in Provo, Utah. That game will air on ESPN.
• From there, the Cougars will meet Utah at 8 p.m. (CST), February 10, inside Jon M. Huntsman Center. That game will air on ESPN or ESPN2.
• 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
F/C
/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's BasketballHIGHLIGHTS – at TCU (January 28, 2026)
Friday, January 30
POSTGAME – at TCU (January 28, 2026)
Thursday, January 29
PREVIEW – Coach Kelvin Sampson at TCU (January 26, 2026)
Monday, January 26
POSTGAME – at Texas Tech (January 24, 2026)
Saturday, January 24