10/20/2026 5:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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Head Coach Kelvin Sampson & stars Joseph Tugler, Mercy Miller & Chase McCarty set to represent Cougars
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – University of Men's Basketball Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, senior forward Joseph Tugler, junior guard Mercy Miller and sophomore forward Chase McCarty will represent the Cougars during 2026 Monster Energy Big 12 Conference Media Days inside T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday.As part of the Big 12's annual media event, the Cougars will join with head coaches and student-athletes from all league schools to speak with national, regional and local media members about the upcoming 2026-27 season.
TUNE IN
Coverage on the main set for Monster Energy Big 12 Basketball Media Days can be found on ESPN+ and ESPNU beginning at 11 a.m., Wednesday.
Sampson and Tugler will speak on the ESPNU set with Matt Schick, Brooke Weisbrod, King McClure, Sydney Jones and Alex Glover Jemison at Noon, Wednesday.
Tugler, Miller and McCarty join their coach in the Houston Q&A Roundtable with host Spencer Linton beginning at 3:20 p.m., Wednesday.
BUY TICKETS
Fans can purchase tickets for Sunday's exhibition game vs. #16/20 Michigan during The Battleground 2k26 inside Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., by clicking here.
Regular-season single-game home tickets for all games inside Fertitta Center are on sale now, and fans are encouraged to purchase quickly while supplies last. Houston will play host to 17 home games inside Fertitta Center with eight in non-conference play and nine in Big 12 action in 2026-27.
Fans interested in purchasing group tickets may complete this form to be contacted by a member of the Houston Athletics Tickets Sales staff.
Non-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List by clicking here.
ABOUT the COUGARS
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 to the league's All-Defensive Team for the second straight season.
Miller, 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 a nine-man newcomer class with freshman guard Ikenna Aloze, freshman center Arafan Diané, freshman center Djafar Silimana, junior forward Braden East, graduate guard Corey Hadnot II, graduate forward Delrecco Gillespie, senior guard Dedan Thomas Jr., freshman guard Tyus Thomas and graduate guard Chendall Weaver.
UP NEXT
• The Cougars continue their exhibition schedule when they face defending national champion Michigan.
• That game will tip off at Noon (CT), Sunday, inside Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., during The Battleground 2k26. It will air on B1G+.
• From there, Houston opens its 2026-27 regular-season schedule when it plays host to La Salle at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 2, inside Fertitta Center.
• It will be the first meeting against the Explorers since the 1975-76 season.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC, SirusXM and the Varsity Network app.
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.
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.
– UHCougars.com –
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