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University of Houston Athletics
Wednesday, January 29
Morgantown, W.Va.
6 p.m.
University of Houston
at
rv/rv West Virginia
PREVIEW: #6/5 Men’s Basketball Meets rv/rv West Virginia on Road
1/27/2025 9:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Preview – Coach Sampson (YouTube)Digital Game ProgramWatch (ESPN+)Listen (950 AM KPRC)Listen (Varsity Network app)Live Stats (StatBroadcast)Houston Game Notes (PDF)
Cougars tip off vs. Mountaineers in first visit to Morgantown at 6 p.m. (CST) Wednesday in WVU Coliseum
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Winners of its last 12 games, the #6/5 University of Houston Men's Basketball program continues its road swing as it faces rv/rv West Virginia at 6 p.m. (CST)/7 p.m. (EST) inside WVU Coliseum.
Houston enters Wednesday's game following a thrilling, come-from-behind, double-overtime thriller at #12/11 Kansas inside Phog Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan. The Cougars trailed by six with 69 seconds left in regulation and by six again with eight seconds remaining in the first overtime period but found a way to extend the game each time.
Graduate forward J'Wan Roberts led all players with 24 points and added a team-high nine rebounds while junior point guard Milos Uzan nearly recorded a triple-double with 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists with zero turnovers in more than 41 minutes.
It was the 13th game this season in which Uzan posted one or fewer turnovers. For his impressive efforts last week, the Las Vegas native was honored as the Big 12 Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Wednesday's game on ESPN+ with Eric Rothman (play-by-play) and Tim Welsh (analyst) calling.
• Fans can hear Wednesday's game on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) calling. The pregame show begins at 5:45 p.m. (CST), Wednesday.
• Fans can follow live stats from Wednesday's game by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
LONGEST WINNING STREAKS in BIG 12 CONFERENCE GAMES
HOUSTON in NCAA STATISTICAL LEADERS
• Through games of Jan. 26, Houston leads the nation in field goal percentage defense (.360), scoring defense (55.6 ppg), scoring margin (+21.1) and turnovers per game (8.7). The Cougars have led the nation in field goal percentage defense in each of the last four full seasons and topped the country in scoring defense a year ago.
• The Cougars rank eighth in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage at .395 and rank fourth in turnover margin (+6.1).
• Junior point guard Milos Uzan leads the Big 12 and the nation with a 4.57 assist-turnover ratio. During the Cougars' current 12-game winning streak, Uzan has dished out 57 assists with only eight giveaways, including 25 assists with only two turnovers in the last five games.
• Sophomore forward Joseph Tugler ranks 13th in the nation and third in the Big 12 with 2.5 blocked shots per game. The Monroe, La., native has recorded 11 games with multiple blocks, including 11 of the last 12.
• Junior guard Emanuel Sharp leads the Big 12 and stands ninth nationally with a .448 3-point percentage. In addition to his long-range shooting, the Tampa, Fla., leads the league and is seventh nationally with his 93.0 free throw percentage.
NATIONAL POLLS
• The Cougars rose to #6 in the Associated Press poll and remained steady at #5 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches poll released Monday.
• This marked the 98th consecutive week in which Houston was ranked, the nation's longest active streak and extending its school record.
• Houston is 31-7 when playing as the #6 (AP) team during its history.
• This marks the second week in which Houston will compete as the #6 (AP) during the 2024-25 season.
• This also marks the seventh week in which the Cougars will compete as an AP Top-10 team during the 2024-25 season.
ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA
• West Virginia brings a 13-6 overall record and 4-4 mark in Big 12 Conference play into Wednesday's game.
• The Mountaineers are tied with BYU and UCF for seventh in the Big 12 standings through Jan. 26.
• West Virginia is 9-2 in home games during the 2024-25 season.
• The Mountaineers have lost their last two and three of their last four games. Only a 64-57 home win over Iowa State on Jan. 15 prevents a longer streak.
• In its most recent action, West Virginia dropped a 73-60 decision at Kansas State on Jan. 25.
• Against Kansas State, senior guard Javon Small led all players with 22 points on 7-of-16 shooting and added two rebounds with five assists and three steals. Fifth-year guard Toby Okani posted 13 points with five rebounds and three assists while sophomore guard Sencire Harris totaled 12 points with a game-high nine rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals.
• This season, Small leads West Virginia and the Big 12 with 19.6 points per game and tops the Mountaineers with 5.1 assists and 1.9 steals per contest. Sophomore forward Amani Hansberry is tops with 5.7 rebounds per game
• Head Coach Darian DeVries is in his first season at West Virginia and his seventh season as a collegiate head coach.
• DeVries has built a 163-61 record during his career and is 13-6 during his career at West Virginia.
• He previously compiled 150-55 record at Drake (2018-24).
• DeVries has an 0-1 record against Houston during his career with the lone previous meeting coming during his West Virginia tenure.
• DeVries has an 0-1 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers with the lone previous meeting coming during his West Virginia and Sampson's Houston tenures.
• 1998 graduate of Northern Iowa.
SERIES HISTORY vs. WEST VIRGINIA
• Houston owns a 2-0 lead against West Virginia in the series, which began during the 2023-23 season.
• This marks the second straight season in which the two schools will meet as Big 12 Conference rivals.
• Wednesday's game is the second of two regular-season meetings in 2024-25. Houston claimed a 70-54 win over the Mountaineers inside Fertitta Center on Jan. 15.
• In the most first meeting against West Virginia, the Cougars opened their inaugural Big 12 Conference schedule with an 89-55 win inside Fertitta Center on Jan. 6, 2024.
on Road: Wednesday's game will be the first time Houston has faced West Virginia in Morgantown, W.Va.
UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, Houston opens the month of February when its plays host to Texas Tech at 5 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1. That game will air on ESPN2.
• It will be a busy day inside Fertitta Center as the Cougars celebrate the retirement of Houston great Don Chaney's #24 jersey at halftime and wear their Houston Blue uniforms for the first time.
• From there, Houston continues its homestand as it meets Oklahoma State for the second time this season at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, inside Fertitta Center.
• The Cougars opened their 2024-25 Big 12 season with a 60-47 win over the Cowboys in Stillwater, Okla., on Dec. 30, 2024.
• 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.
Houston enters Wednesday's game following a thrilling, come-from-behind, double-overtime thriller at #12/11 Kansas inside Phog Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan. The Cougars trailed by six with 69 seconds left in regulation and by six again with eight seconds remaining in the first overtime period but found a way to extend the game each time.
Graduate forward J'Wan Roberts led all players with 24 points and added a team-high nine rebounds while junior point guard Milos Uzan nearly recorded a triple-double with 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists with zero turnovers in more than 41 minutes.
It was the 13th game this season in which Uzan posted one or fewer turnovers. For his impressive efforts last week, the Las Vegas native was honored as the Big 12 Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Wednesday's game on ESPN+ with Eric Rothman (play-by-play) and Tim Welsh (analyst) calling.
• Fans can hear Wednesday's game on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) calling. The pregame show begins at 5:45 p.m. (CST), Wednesday.
• Fans can follow live stats from Wednesday's game by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
LONGEST WINNING STREAKS in BIG 12 CONFERENCE GAMES
| Rk. | No. | School | Dates |
| 1. | 23 | Kansas | Feb. 20, 2001 – Jan. 18, 2003 |
| t2. | 17 | Houston | Feb. 6, 2024 – present |
| 17 | Kansas | Feb. 3, 2016 – Jan. 21, 2017 | |
| 17 | Kansas | Jan. 14, 2020 – Dec. 22, 2020 | |
| t5. | 15 | Kansas | Jan. 24, 1998 – Jan. 18, 1999 |
| 15 | Kansas | Feb. 9, 2012 – Jan. 28, 2013 |
HOUSTON in NCAA STATISTICAL LEADERS
• Through games of Jan. 26, Houston leads the nation in field goal percentage defense (.360), scoring defense (55.6 ppg), scoring margin (+21.1) and turnovers per game (8.7). The Cougars have led the nation in field goal percentage defense in each of the last four full seasons and topped the country in scoring defense a year ago.
• The Cougars rank eighth in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage at .395 and rank fourth in turnover margin (+6.1).
• Junior point guard Milos Uzan leads the Big 12 and the nation with a 4.57 assist-turnover ratio. During the Cougars' current 12-game winning streak, Uzan has dished out 57 assists with only eight giveaways, including 25 assists with only two turnovers in the last five games.
• Sophomore forward Joseph Tugler ranks 13th in the nation and third in the Big 12 with 2.5 blocked shots per game. The Monroe, La., native has recorded 11 games with multiple blocks, including 11 of the last 12.
• Junior guard Emanuel Sharp leads the Big 12 and stands ninth nationally with a .448 3-point percentage. In addition to his long-range shooting, the Tampa, Fla., leads the league and is seventh nationally with his 93.0 free throw percentage.
NATIONAL POLLS
• The Cougars rose to #6 in the Associated Press poll and remained steady at #5 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches poll released Monday.
• This marked the 98th consecutive week in which Houston was ranked, the nation's longest active streak and extending its school record.
• Houston is 31-7 when playing as the #6 (AP) team during its history.
• This marks the second week in which Houston will compete as the #6 (AP) during the 2024-25 season.
• This also marks the seventh week in which the Cougars will compete as an AP Top-10 team during the 2024-25 season.
ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA
• West Virginia brings a 13-6 overall record and 4-4 mark in Big 12 Conference play into Wednesday's game.
• The Mountaineers are tied with BYU and UCF for seventh in the Big 12 standings through Jan. 26.
• West Virginia is 9-2 in home games during the 2024-25 season.
• The Mountaineers have lost their last two and three of their last four games. Only a 64-57 home win over Iowa State on Jan. 15 prevents a longer streak.
• In its most recent action, West Virginia dropped a 73-60 decision at Kansas State on Jan. 25.
• Against Kansas State, senior guard Javon Small led all players with 22 points on 7-of-16 shooting and added two rebounds with five assists and three steals. Fifth-year guard Toby Okani posted 13 points with five rebounds and three assists while sophomore guard Sencire Harris totaled 12 points with a game-high nine rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals.
• This season, Small leads West Virginia and the Big 12 with 19.6 points per game and tops the Mountaineers with 5.1 assists and 1.9 steals per contest. Sophomore forward Amani Hansberry is tops with 5.7 rebounds per game
• Head Coach Darian DeVries is in his first season at West Virginia and his seventh season as a collegiate head coach.
• DeVries has built a 163-61 record during his career and is 13-6 during his career at West Virginia.
• He previously compiled 150-55 record at Drake (2018-24).
• DeVries has an 0-1 record against Houston during his career with the lone previous meeting coming during his West Virginia tenure.
• DeVries has an 0-1 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers with the lone previous meeting coming during his West Virginia and Sampson's Houston tenures.
• 1998 graduate of Northern Iowa.
SERIES HISTORY vs. WEST VIRGINIA
• Houston owns a 2-0 lead against West Virginia in the series, which began during the 2023-23 season.
• This marks the second straight season in which the two schools will meet as Big 12 Conference rivals.
• Wednesday's game is the second of two regular-season meetings in 2024-25. Houston claimed a 70-54 win over the Mountaineers inside Fertitta Center on Jan. 15.
• In the most first meeting against West Virginia, the Cougars opened their inaugural Big 12 Conference schedule with an 89-55 win inside Fertitta Center on Jan. 6, 2024.
on Road: Wednesday's game will be the first time Houston has faced West Virginia in Morgantown, W.Va.
UP NEXT
• Following Wednesday's game, Houston opens the month of February when its plays host to Texas Tech at 5 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1. That game will air on ESPN2.
• It will be a busy day inside Fertitta Center as the Cougars celebrate the retirement of Houston great Don Chaney's #24 jersey at halftime and wear their Houston Blue uniforms for the first time.
• From there, Houston continues its homestand as it meets Oklahoma State for the second time this season at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, inside Fertitta Center.
• The Cougars opened their 2024-25 Big 12 season with a 60-47 win over the Cowboys in Stillwater, Okla., on Dec. 30, 2024.
• 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 –
Players Mentioned
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