University of Houston Athletics

PREVIEW: #4/4 Men’s Basketball Meets rv/rv Kansas State on Saturday
1/25/2024 9:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Cougars tip off at 11 a.m., in Fertitta Center in first meeting against Wildcats since 1974-75 season
HOUSTON – Holding one of the nation's longest home winning streaks, the University of Houston Men's Basketball returns to the friendly confines of the Fertitta Center to play host to Big 12-rival rv/rv Kansas State at 11 a.m., Saturday.
Saturday's game is presented by Icon.
The fourth-ranked Cougars have won all 11 games to date in Fertitta Center and 16 consecutive dating back to last year. That tied with San Diego State and Towson as the fourth-longest active home winning streak. Only Virginia (21), Cleveland State (18) and North Texas (17) have longer home winning streaks in the country.
After falling in two Big 12 road games by a combined five points, the Cougars rebounded with wins in each of their next three games, including a 75-68 win at #21/19 BYU in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday in their most recent action.
Against BYU, senior guard LJ Cryer led all players with 23 points and five 3-pointers while senior point guard Jamal Shead posted 16 points with three rebounds and a team-high four assists.
GAME PROMOTIONS
• Saturday's game is presented by Icon.
• Fans are encouraged to wear black as part of the Cougars' Blackout game. The first 3,000 fans in Fertitta Center will receive a free black t-shirt, courtesy of Gallery Furniture.
• Saxophonist Trenton Whitehead will perform the national anthem before the game.
• The Original Marching Thunder will perform at halftime.
COACHES vs. CANCER SUITS and SNEAKERS
• This week has been part of Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers week in the college basketball world.
• Since 1993, the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches have worked together to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities and advocacy programs.
• As part of Saturday's game, Houston Coach Kelvin Sampson's sideline attire will return to a coat and tie with sneakers as he leads his Cougars against Kansas State.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Saturday's game on ESPN with Jon Schiambi (play-by-play) and Fran Fraschilla (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Saturday's game on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes calling the action. The pregame show begins at 10:45 a.m. (CST), Saturday.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
ABOUT KANSAS STATE
• Kansas State brings a 14-5 overall record and 4-2 Big 12 mark into Saturday's game inside Fertitta Center.
• Kansas State is receiving votes in both the Associated Press (39 pts.) and USA TODAY Sports Coaches (14 pts.) polls.
• The Wildcats are tied for second in the latest league standings
• Kansas State is 2-2 in road games and 3-4 in non-home games during the 2023-24 season.
• The Wildcats have won two of their last three games. However, Kansas State dropped a 78-67 decision at Iowa State on Wednesday night in its most recent action.
• Against Iowa State, Arthur Kaluma led Kansas State with 16 points and three 3-pointers. Cam Carter finished with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting and added three rebounds in the loss.
• This season, Carter leads Kansas State with 16.3 points and 1.8 steals per game. Kaluma stands second among the Wildcats with 15.2 points per game but leads Kansas State with 7.61 rebounds per contest. Tylor Perry is third on the team with 14.5 points per game and leads KSU with 5.2 assists per game. David N'Guessan is a close second with 7.57 rebounds per game.
• Head Coach Jerome Tang is in his second season at Kansas State and as a full-time collegiate head coach.
• Tang has posted a 40-15 record with Kansas State and is 42-15 during his career.
• Tang previously built a 2-0 record as interim head coach at Baylor (2012-13).
• Saturday's game will be the first time Tang has faced Houston.
• Saturday's game will be the first time Tang has faced Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 2007 graduate of Charter Oak State College.
SERIES HISTORY vs. KANSAS STATE
• Kansas State owns a 5-3 lead against Houston in the series, which began during the 1955-56 season.
• Saturday's game will be the lone regular-season meeting against Kansas State during the 2023-24 season.
• Saturday's game will be the first time Houston has faced Kansas State since the 1974-75 season.
• The two teams have alternated wins and losses in the last five encounters with Kansas State taking a 91-90 win in Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston on Dec. 21, 1974, in the most recent meeting.
• In the first meeting, Houston took an 86-79 home win on Dec. 21, 1955.
at Home: Houston owns a 2-1 lead against Kansas State in the series.
• Kansas State can boast of the most recent success after taking a 91-90 win inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Dec. 21, 1974.
• That loss snapped the Cougars' two-game winning streak against the Wildcats in Houston.
• In the first home encounter, Houston enjoyed an 86-79 win on Dec. 21, 1955.
in Fertitta Center: Saturday's game will be the first time Houston has faced Kansas State inside Fertitta Center.
UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, the Cougars close the month of January when they meet rv/rv Texas at 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 29, inside Moody Center in Austin, Texas. That game will be shown on ESPN.
• Houston opens the month of February when it meets #7/8 Kansas at 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3, inside Phog Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan. That game can be seen on ESPN.
• From there, the Cougars return to Fertitta Center to host Oklahoma State at 6 p.m., Feb. 6. That game will air on ESPN or ESPN2.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise 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, 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 UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
Saturday's game is presented by Icon.
The fourth-ranked Cougars have won all 11 games to date in Fertitta Center and 16 consecutive dating back to last year. That tied with San Diego State and Towson as the fourth-longest active home winning streak. Only Virginia (21), Cleveland State (18) and North Texas (17) have longer home winning streaks in the country.
After falling in two Big 12 road games by a combined five points, the Cougars rebounded with wins in each of their next three games, including a 75-68 win at #21/19 BYU in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday in their most recent action.
Against BYU, senior guard LJ Cryer led all players with 23 points and five 3-pointers while senior point guard Jamal Shead posted 16 points with three rebounds and a team-high four assists.
GAME PROMOTIONS
• Saturday's game is presented by Icon.
• Fans are encouraged to wear black as part of the Cougars' Blackout game. The first 3,000 fans in Fertitta Center will receive a free black t-shirt, courtesy of Gallery Furniture.
• Saxophonist Trenton Whitehead will perform the national anthem before the game.
• The Original Marching Thunder will perform at halftime.
COACHES vs. CANCER SUITS and SNEAKERS
• This week has been part of Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers week in the college basketball world.
• Since 1993, the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches have worked together to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities and advocacy programs.
• As part of Saturday's game, Houston Coach Kelvin Sampson's sideline attire will return to a coat and tie with sneakers as he leads his Cougars against Kansas State.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Saturday's game on ESPN with Jon Schiambi (play-by-play) and Fran Fraschilla (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can hear Saturday's game on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes calling the action. The pregame show begins at 10:45 a.m. (CST), Saturday.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
ABOUT KANSAS STATE
• Kansas State brings a 14-5 overall record and 4-2 Big 12 mark into Saturday's game inside Fertitta Center.
• Kansas State is receiving votes in both the Associated Press (39 pts.) and USA TODAY Sports Coaches (14 pts.) polls.
• The Wildcats are tied for second in the latest league standings
• Kansas State is 2-2 in road games and 3-4 in non-home games during the 2023-24 season.
• The Wildcats have won two of their last three games. However, Kansas State dropped a 78-67 decision at Iowa State on Wednesday night in its most recent action.
• Against Iowa State, Arthur Kaluma led Kansas State with 16 points and three 3-pointers. Cam Carter finished with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting and added three rebounds in the loss.
• This season, Carter leads Kansas State with 16.3 points and 1.8 steals per game. Kaluma stands second among the Wildcats with 15.2 points per game but leads Kansas State with 7.61 rebounds per contest. Tylor Perry is third on the team with 14.5 points per game and leads KSU with 5.2 assists per game. David N'Guessan is a close second with 7.57 rebounds per game.
• Head Coach Jerome Tang is in his second season at Kansas State and as a full-time collegiate head coach.
• Tang has posted a 40-15 record with Kansas State and is 42-15 during his career.
• Tang previously built a 2-0 record as interim head coach at Baylor (2012-13).
• Saturday's game will be the first time Tang has faced Houston.
• Saturday's game will be the first time Tang has faced Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 2007 graduate of Charter Oak State College.
SERIES HISTORY vs. KANSAS STATE
• Kansas State owns a 5-3 lead against Houston in the series, which began during the 1955-56 season.
• Saturday's game will be the lone regular-season meeting against Kansas State during the 2023-24 season.
• Saturday's game will be the first time Houston has faced Kansas State since the 1974-75 season.
• The two teams have alternated wins and losses in the last five encounters with Kansas State taking a 91-90 win in Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston on Dec. 21, 1974, in the most recent meeting.
• In the first meeting, Houston took an 86-79 home win on Dec. 21, 1955.
at Home: Houston owns a 2-1 lead against Kansas State in the series.
• Kansas State can boast of the most recent success after taking a 91-90 win inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Dec. 21, 1974.
• That loss snapped the Cougars' two-game winning streak against the Wildcats in Houston.
• In the first home encounter, Houston enjoyed an 86-79 win on Dec. 21, 1955.
in Fertitta Center: Saturday's game will be the first time Houston has faced Kansas State inside Fertitta Center.
UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, the Cougars close the month of January when they meet rv/rv Texas at 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 29, inside Moody Center in Austin, Texas. That game will be shown on ESPN.
• Houston opens the month of February when it meets #7/8 Kansas at 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3, inside Phog Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan. That game can be seen on ESPN.
• From there, the Cougars return to Fertitta Center to host Oklahoma State at 6 p.m., Feb. 6. That game will air on ESPN or ESPN2.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise 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, 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 UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
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Wednesday, December 31
HIGHLIGHTS – vs Middle Tennessee (December 29, 2025)
Tuesday, December 30
POSTGAME – vs Middle Tennessee (December 29, 20250
Monday, December 29
PREVIEW – Coach Kelvin Sampson vs. Middle Tennessee
Friday, December 26
















