Men’s Basketball Releases Players Era Championship Schedule

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program learned its three opponents, dates and venue for the 2026 Players Era 8 Championship as tournament officials recently released the event schedule.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars open the tournament against Rutgers on Tuesday, November 17.

From there, Houston will face the winner/loser from Florida-Notre Dame on Wednesday, November 18, before closing the tournament against West Virginia/Auburn/Kansas/UNLV on Thursday, November 19.

All games from the Players Era 8 Championship will be played inside Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Game times will be announced soon.

The Players Era 8 Championship will be played one week ahead of the Players Era 16 Championship. All 37 games across the two tournaments will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks as part of a new multi-year broadcast agreement between Players ERA and ESPN.

The Players ERA 16 Championship will be played November 24-28 inside T-Mobile Arena and Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas and features Tennessee, Maryland, San Diego State, Iowa State, St. John's Oregon, Louisville, Texas Tech, Gonzaga, Kansas State, Baylor, Alabama, Michigan, Creighton, TCU and Miami (Fla.).

ABOUT the COUGARS
Forward Joseph Tugler highlights four lettermen returning from the 2025-26 team, which went 30-7 and tied the NCAA Division I record with its fifth straight 30-win season.

After averaging 8.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and a team-high 1.8 blocks per game, Tugler earned Big 12 Conference All-Tournament Team honors and was named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. The Monroe, La., native also was named to the league's All-Defensive Team for the second straight season.

Guard Mercy Miller, forward Chase McCarty and guard Kordel Jefferson also return for the Cougars. Miller scored a career-high 15 points in a home win over New Orleans and was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team while McCarty scored a career-best 20 points with six 3-pointers in a Big 12 road win at Oklahoma State to cap the regular season.

Jefferson was sidelined by a knee injury early in the season but returns after successful surgery and rehabilitation.

That veteran group will be joined by an eight-man newcomer class with freshman guard Ikenna Aloze, freshman center Arafan Diané, freshman center Djafar Silimana, junior forward Braden East, graduate guard Corey Hadnot II, graduate guard Delrecco Gillespie, senior guard Dedan Thomas Jr and freshman guard Tyus Thomas.

BUY TICKETS
Non-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List by clicking here.

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 –

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