The University of Houston’s Men’s Basketball team is scheduled to host Rice at the Fertitta Center at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, following a successful streak of nine home games. The Cougars have secured the third spot in the Associated Press poll and second in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches polls, with over 3 first-place votes in each poll. This marks the fourth consecutive season under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson that the Cougars have achieved a Top Five ranking in at least one poll.
The Cougars are heading into Wednesday’s matchup fresh from a 66-60 triumph over Xavier, where senior guard LJ Cryer took the lead with 23 points and five 3-pointers, closely followed by senior forward J’Wan Roberts with nine points, 12 rebounds, and a couple of steals. The win against Xavier extended the Cougars’ unbeaten streak on the road to 12 games, making it the nation’s longest active streak and the second-longest streak in Houston’s history.
LJ Cryer has been the leading point scorer for the Cougars this season, averaging 17.8 points per game and ranking among the Big 12 Top Five leaders. Senior point guard Jamal Shead is standing strong in the league, securing third place with 2.9 steals per contest and fourth place with 6.0 assists per game, while J’Wan Roberts makes his presence known by ranking fourth with 8.2 rebounds per game.
The game is expected to be packed with exciting activities, including a halftime speech from New Houston Football Head Coach Willie Fritz, photo opportunities with Shasta Claus and Sasha Claus, and a live performance of the national anthem by the UH Concert Chorale. The Spirit of Houston twirler Alexis Tanner will also grace the event with a spectacular halftime performance, and fans are encouraged to donate toys for the KHOU Toy Drive at the Fertitta Center entrances.
The game will be broadcasted on Big 12 Now on ESPN+, with Matt Pedersen providing the play-by-play, Houston’s great Reid Gettys as the analyst, and Austyn Iven as the reporter. Alternatively, fans can catch the game on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app, with Jeremy Branham on the play-by-play commentary.
On the other side of the court, Rice will bring a 3-5 record into the game, with head coach Scott Pera leading the team into their seventh season. The Owls are 0-1 in road games this season and recently secured a win over Houston Christian, with senior guard Travis Evee putting in a stellar performance with 18 points. Rice’s head coach Scott Pera has a career record of 87-111, with an 0-3 record against Houston during his coaching career.
The history between the two schools has seen Houston dominate with a 64-18 lead in the series. The Cougars have won the last seven meetings and eight of the last nine against the Owls.
Following Wednesday’s game, Houston will continue its homestand by taking on Jackson State, Texas A&M, and Texas State in upcoming fixtures, with all games set to air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
If you’re a fan of Houston basketball, consider joining the 50-50 Club to support the team and receive exclusive benefits, or contribute to the Houston Rise fundraising campaign dedicated to the success of Houston Athletics in the Big 12 Conference.
Stay connected with the latest updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and Facebook, and visiting the team’s Instagram page. That’s it for this time – see you at the Fertitta Center!