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University of Houston Athletics
Tuesday, November 26
Las Vegas, Nev. – MGM Grand Garden Arena
7 p.m. (CT)
University of Houston
vs
#9/9 Alabama
PREVIEW: #6/7 Men’s Basketball Opens Players Era Festival on Tuesday
11/25/2024 2:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Preview – Coach Sampson (YouTube)Digital Game ProgramListen (950 AM KPRC)Listen (Varsity Network app)Live Stats (StatBroadcast)Houston Game Notes (PDF)Alabama Game Notes (PDF)Big 12 Conference Notes (PDF)
Cougars meet #9/9 Alabama at 7 p.m. (CST) inside MGM Grand Garden Arena; Game to air on TBS and Max
LAS VEGAS – For the third time in the last four seasons, the #6/7 University of Houston Men's Basketball program will face #9/9 Alabama on the hardwood.
The series continues at 7 p.m. (CST), Tuesday, during the first day of the Players Era Festival inside MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Houston enters the Players Era Festival following an 80-44 win over Hofstra inside Fertitta Center on Friday night. Sophomore forward Joseph Tugler posted 17 points, thanks to 6-of-6 shooting from the field, and posted career highs with four assists and two 3-pointers against the Pride.
Junior guard Emanuel Sharp finished with 16 points after draining all five 3-point attempts against Hofstra and has drilled his last nine tries from behind the arc. The Tampa, Fla., native leads the Cougars and the Big 12 Conference and ranks second in the country with a 73.3 (11-of-15) 3-point percentage.
This season, Sharp leads the Cougars with 11.8 points and 1.8 steals per game. He is one of eight Cougars averaging 7.0+ points per game, joining graduate guard LJ Cryer (11.3 ppg), graduate forward J'Wan Roberts (10.3), sophomore guard Terrance Arceneaux (9.5), junior point guard Milos Uzan (8.8), sophomore forward Joseph Tugler (8.5), freshman guard Mercy Miller (7.7) and graduate guard Mylik Wilson (7.5).
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Tuesday's game on TBS and Max with Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Grant Hill (analyst) and Allie LaForce (reporter) calling.
• Fans can hear Tuesday's game on 950 AM KPRC or the Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes calling. The pregame show begins at 6:45 p.m. (CST), Tuesday.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
ABOUT PLAYERS ERA FESTIVAL
• Players Era Festival is the inaugural event for the groundbreaking college basketball showcase and NIL company, Players Era, aimed at captivating fans and providing college athletes with opportunities to engage in unique name, image and likeness (NIL) activities.
• The 2024 Festival is a single multi-team event featuring the Impact and Power Groups with the Championship Day on Saturday.
• The event also provides opportunities for student-athletes on participating teams to engage in more than $1 million in NIL opportunities outside of competition.
• Tuesday's and Wednesday's games feature group play while Saturday's action will showcase matchups across the two groups with pairings determined by the group-play results.
• Following Wednesday's games, each group will be ranked first through fourth, and after head-to-head record, seeding will be determined by total point differential in group games (capped at 20 points per game), then total points scored and fewest points allowed. each group will be ranked first through fourth, and after head-to-head record, seeding will be determined by total point differential in group games (capped at 20 points per game), then total points scored and fewest points allowed.
• The top seeds from each division will face off in the championship game, with the rest of the standings filling out the third, fifth and seventh-place matchups.
NATIONAL POLLS
• The Cougars rose to #6 in the Associated Press poll and remained steady at #7 USA TODAY Sports Coaches polls released Monday
• This marked the 89th consecutive week in which Houston was ranked, the nation's longest active streak and extending its school record.
• Houston also has appeared in the Top 10 in each of the last 44 AP polls to lead the country and extend its school record.
ABOUT ALABAMA
• Alabama brings a 4-1 record into Tuesday's game at the Players Era Festival.
• As of Nov. 18, the Crimson Tide was ranked at #8 in the Associated Press poll with 1,084 points and was tied for seventh with Houston in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches poll with 470 points.
• In its most recent action, Alabama took a 100-87 win over #25/20 Illinois inside Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., on Tuesday night.
• The Crimson Tide has alternated wins and losses over their last three games.
• Against Illinois, graduate forward Grant Nelson led all players with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting and added team-high of eight rebounds, four 3-pointers and four steals. Sophomore guard Aden Holloway posted 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting and dished out a pair of assists while freshman guard Labaron Philon and graduate guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. finished with 16 points apiece in the win.
• This season Nelson leads Alabama with 14.2 points per game and is second on the team with 7.0 rebounds per contest. Guard Mark Sears stands second with 13.8 points per game with Wrightsell and Philon tied for third with 12.8 points per game. Philon leads the Crimson Tide with 5.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
• Head Coach Nate Oats is in his sixth season at Alabama and his 10th year as a collegiate head coach.
• Oats has built a 121-55 record at Oklahoma during his career.
• Oats previously compiled a 96-43 mark at Buffalo (2015-19).
• Oats is 2-0 against Houston during his career.
• Oats is 2-0 against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 1998 graduate of Marantha Baptist.
SERIES HISTORY vs. ALABAMA
• After six games, the series against Alabama is tied at 3-3.
• Series began with a 76-68 Houston win at the Sugar Bowl Classic in New Orleans on Dec. 28, 1956.
• Houston has lost the last two meetings in the series, including a 71-65 setback against the #8/10 Crimson Tide inside Fertitta Center in Houston on Dec. 10, 2022, in the most recent encounter.
• The Cougars' last win against the Crimson Tide was an 83-75 win at the Sun Carnival Tournament inside Special Events Center in El Paso, Texas, on Dec. 29, 1979.
at Neutral Site: Houston owns a 3-1 lead in games played at a neutral site in the series against Alabama.
• In the last neutral-site meeting, Houston took an 83-75 win at the Sun Carnival Tournament inside Special Events Center in El Paso, Texas, on Dec. 29, 1979.
• In the first neutral-site meeting, the Cougars enjoyed a 76-68 win at the Sugar Bowl Classic in New Orleans on Dec. 28, 1956.
in Las Vegas: Tuesday's game will be the first time Houston has faced Alabama in Las Vegas.
UP NEXT
• Following Tuesday's game, Houston continues its Players Era Festival stay against Notre Dame inside MGM Grand Garden Arena at 9:30 p.m. PST/11:30 p.m. CST, Wednesday)
• From there, the Cougars face a to-be-determined opponent on Nov. 30 inside MGM Grand Garden Arena. Houston's opponent, game time and broadcasting network will be determined with the completion of Wednesday's group play.
• The Cougars return to Fertitta Center to play host to Butler in the Big East-Big 12 Battle inside Fertitta Center on Dec. 7.
• That game will air on ESPN2.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
BUY 2024-25 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 supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective – 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.
The series continues at 7 p.m. (CST), Tuesday, during the first day of the Players Era Festival inside MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Houston enters the Players Era Festival following an 80-44 win over Hofstra inside Fertitta Center on Friday night. Sophomore forward Joseph Tugler posted 17 points, thanks to 6-of-6 shooting from the field, and posted career highs with four assists and two 3-pointers against the Pride.
Junior guard Emanuel Sharp finished with 16 points after draining all five 3-point attempts against Hofstra and has drilled his last nine tries from behind the arc. The Tampa, Fla., native leads the Cougars and the Big 12 Conference and ranks second in the country with a 73.3 (11-of-15) 3-point percentage.
This season, Sharp leads the Cougars with 11.8 points and 1.8 steals per game. He is one of eight Cougars averaging 7.0+ points per game, joining graduate guard LJ Cryer (11.3 ppg), graduate forward J'Wan Roberts (10.3), sophomore guard Terrance Arceneaux (9.5), junior point guard Milos Uzan (8.8), sophomore forward Joseph Tugler (8.5), freshman guard Mercy Miller (7.7) and graduate guard Mylik Wilson (7.5).
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Tuesday's game on TBS and Max with Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Grant Hill (analyst) and Allie LaForce (reporter) calling.
• Fans can hear Tuesday's game on 950 AM KPRC or the Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes calling. The pregame show begins at 6:45 p.m. (CST), Tuesday.
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
ABOUT PLAYERS ERA FESTIVAL
• Players Era Festival is the inaugural event for the groundbreaking college basketball showcase and NIL company, Players Era, aimed at captivating fans and providing college athletes with opportunities to engage in unique name, image and likeness (NIL) activities.
• The 2024 Festival is a single multi-team event featuring the Impact and Power Groups with the Championship Day on Saturday.
• The event also provides opportunities for student-athletes on participating teams to engage in more than $1 million in NIL opportunities outside of competition.
• Tuesday's and Wednesday's games feature group play while Saturday's action will showcase matchups across the two groups with pairings determined by the group-play results.
• Following Wednesday's games, each group will be ranked first through fourth, and after head-to-head record, seeding will be determined by total point differential in group games (capped at 20 points per game), then total points scored and fewest points allowed. each group will be ranked first through fourth, and after head-to-head record, seeding will be determined by total point differential in group games (capped at 20 points per game), then total points scored and fewest points allowed.
• The top seeds from each division will face off in the championship game, with the rest of the standings filling out the third, fifth and seventh-place matchups.
NATIONAL POLLS
• The Cougars rose to #6 in the Associated Press poll and remained steady at #7 USA TODAY Sports Coaches polls released Monday
• This marked the 89th consecutive week in which Houston was ranked, the nation's longest active streak and extending its school record.
• Houston also has appeared in the Top 10 in each of the last 44 AP polls to lead the country and extend its school record.
ABOUT ALABAMA
• Alabama brings a 4-1 record into Tuesday's game at the Players Era Festival.
• As of Nov. 18, the Crimson Tide was ranked at #8 in the Associated Press poll with 1,084 points and was tied for seventh with Houston in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches poll with 470 points.
• In its most recent action, Alabama took a 100-87 win over #25/20 Illinois inside Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., on Tuesday night.
• The Crimson Tide has alternated wins and losses over their last three games.
• Against Illinois, graduate forward Grant Nelson led all players with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting and added team-high of eight rebounds, four 3-pointers and four steals. Sophomore guard Aden Holloway posted 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting and dished out a pair of assists while freshman guard Labaron Philon and graduate guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. finished with 16 points apiece in the win.
• This season Nelson leads Alabama with 14.2 points per game and is second on the team with 7.0 rebounds per contest. Guard Mark Sears stands second with 13.8 points per game with Wrightsell and Philon tied for third with 12.8 points per game. Philon leads the Crimson Tide with 5.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
• Head Coach Nate Oats is in his sixth season at Alabama and his 10th year as a collegiate head coach.
• Oats has built a 121-55 record at Oklahoma during his career.
• Oats previously compiled a 96-43 mark at Buffalo (2015-19).
• Oats is 2-0 against Houston during his career.
• Oats is 2-0 against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 1998 graduate of Marantha Baptist.
SERIES HISTORY vs. ALABAMA
• After six games, the series against Alabama is tied at 3-3.
• Series began with a 76-68 Houston win at the Sugar Bowl Classic in New Orleans on Dec. 28, 1956.
• Houston has lost the last two meetings in the series, including a 71-65 setback against the #8/10 Crimson Tide inside Fertitta Center in Houston on Dec. 10, 2022, in the most recent encounter.
• The Cougars' last win against the Crimson Tide was an 83-75 win at the Sun Carnival Tournament inside Special Events Center in El Paso, Texas, on Dec. 29, 1979.
at Neutral Site: Houston owns a 3-1 lead in games played at a neutral site in the series against Alabama.
• In the last neutral-site meeting, Houston took an 83-75 win at the Sun Carnival Tournament inside Special Events Center in El Paso, Texas, on Dec. 29, 1979.
• In the first neutral-site meeting, the Cougars enjoyed a 76-68 win at the Sugar Bowl Classic in New Orleans on Dec. 28, 1956.
in Las Vegas: Tuesday's game will be the first time Houston has faced Alabama in Las Vegas.
UP NEXT
• Following Tuesday's game, Houston continues its Players Era Festival stay against Notre Dame inside MGM Grand Garden Arena at 9:30 p.m. PST/11:30 p.m. CST, Wednesday)
• From there, the Cougars face a to-be-determined opponent on Nov. 30 inside MGM Grand Garden Arena. Houston's opponent, game time and broadcasting network will be determined with the completion of Wednesday's group play.
• The Cougars return to Fertitta Center to play host to Butler in the Big East-Big 12 Battle inside Fertitta Center on Dec. 7.
• That game will air on ESPN2.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
BUY 2024-25 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 supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective – 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 –
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