Men’s & Women's Basketball to Play LSU inside Toyota Center

Men’s & Women's Basketball to Play LSU inside Toyota Center

8/12/2026 9:12:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball

Cougars meet Tigers on Sunday, December 13, during Houston Hoopfest doubleheader

HOUSTON – For the fourth straight season, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program will compete inside Toyota Center when it faces LSU during the Houston Hoopfest on Sunday, December 13. The game will be part of a doubleheader with the Houston Women's Basketball team, which also faces the Tigers in the arena that day.

Houston Hoopfest presale tickets will be available beginning at 10 a.m., Thursday. Cougar Pride members and season ticket holders for both programs should check their emails for more information on Thursday morning.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on August 20. Fans should stay tuned to Houston Men's and Women's Basketball social media sites for that link when it becomes available.

Game times and broadcasting networks for both games will be announced soon.

This marks the third straight season in which the Men's team will play inside Toyota Center. A year ago, the Men's squad claimed an 82-67 win over Florida State during the Houston Hoops Showdown on December 6, 2025.

SERIES HISTORY vs. LSU (Men)
Houston owns an 11-9 lead in the series history against LSU and has split the last four meetings with the Tigers.

In the most recent encounter, the Cougars claimed an 82-76 win over LSU on December 12, 2018, in the third game in Fertitta Center history. That win snapped a two-game losing skid to the Tigers.

This will be only the second neutral-site meeting against LSU in the series history. In the lone previous meeting, the Cougars claimed a 73-69 win inside the Superdome in New Orleans on December 29, 1981, during the Sugar Bowl Classic.

SERIES HISTORY vs. LSU (Women)
LSU holds a 6-3 lead in the series history against Houston and has won the last three meetings. The Cougars and Tigers last faced off in 2009 in Baton Rouge. Houston's last win over LSU was a 66-59 victory in Houston in 1997.

ABOUT HOUSTON MEN'S BASKETBALL
Senior 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 a finalist for the Naismith National Defensive Player of the Award for presented by MOLECULE and to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team, each for the second straight season.

Junior guard Mercy Miller, sophomore forward Chase McCarty and sophomore 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, senior guard Corey Hadnot II, graduate forward Delrecco Gillespie, senior guard Dedan Thomas Jr., freshman guard Tyus Thomas and graduate guard Chendall Weaver.

ABOUT HOUSTON WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
The roster combines a talented mix of freshmen, transfers and returners, led by junior forward Justice Carlton, a former McDonald's All-American and the No. 12 player in the Class of 2024.

The group also includes sophomore guard Janiyah Williams, the No. 53 player in the Class of 2025; junior guard Kaelyn Hamilton, the 2025-26 Mountain West Sixth Player of the Year; sophomore center Elodie Lutbert, an All-WAC Freshman and Defensive Team selection; junior guard Esmeralda Enriquez, the 2026 NJCAA D1 Player of the Year; and senior guard Raegan McCowan, a two-time All-OVC First Team honoree.

The incoming freshman class is highlighted by forward Madison Carlton, a four-star recruit and the No. 91 player in the Class of 2026; guard Alyvia McCorkle, Iowa Girls All-State Basketball Class 5A First Team honoree; forward Tamia King, District 26-6A's Most Valuable Player; and Marta Llompart, a true point guard who led Spain to win the 2026 FIBA U18 Eurobasket tournament.

The Cougars return three players from the 2025-26 roster: senior forward Jorynn Ross, sophomore guard Kayla King and redshirt freshman forward Jemma Hunter.

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

Season tickets for the 2026-27 Houston Women's Basketball campaign are on sale now. To purchase, click here or contact the University of Houston Ticket Office during regular business office hours at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647).

Seating inside the Fertitta Center for all Houston Women's Basketball games will be reserved starting at $100. Season ticket holders can also add a season-long parking pass inside the Stadium Garage for $75.

Women's Basketball fans who opt for floor, loge and club seats will have access to amenities in the Sideline Club such as complimentary popcorn and soft drinks. A concession stand and cash bar will also be located for fans in the Sideline Club.

EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITIES for WOMEN'S SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
Women's Basketball fans who purchase or have already purchased season tickets will have the opportunity to enter exclusive prize drawings, with one winner selected for each prize.

Prizes include:
·       Facility & locker room tour
·       FREE season parking pass
·       Exclusive team gear package (shirt + shoes)
·       Additional tickets for a conference game
·       Access to a home game day shootaround + courtside photo with Coach Mitchell and the team
·       Courtside pregame experience + courtside photo with Coach Mitchell and Sasha
·       Signed team basketball

The earlier you purchase Women's season tickets, the better your chances to win:
·       Purchase by August 31 → 3 entries into each prize drawing
·       Purchase by September 30 → 2 entries into each prize drawing
·       Purchase by October 31 → 1 entry into each prize drawing

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.

Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Basketball by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and joining the Full Court Press, which provides support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.

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.

Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB 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 UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.

– UHCougars.com –