Monday, November 2
Houston
8 p.m.
University of Houston
vs
La Salle
10/30/2026 11:25:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Preview – Coach Kelvin Sampson (YouTube)Digital Game ProgramJoin 50-50 ClubListen (950 AM KPRC)Listen (Varsity Network app)Live Stats (StatBroadcast)Roster Card (PDF)Houston Game Notes (PDF)La Salle Game Notes (PDF)Buy Home Single-Game TicketsSeason Ticket Wait List
Cougars tip off vs. Explorers at 8 p.m., inside Fertitta Center in first meeting against Explorers since 1975
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program opens its 2026-27 regular season when it plays host to La Salle at 8 p.m., Monday, inside Fertitta Center in a game presented by HEB.
Fans should note the 8 p.m., starting time for Monday's opener.
The Cougars enter the opener as winners of each of its first two exhibition games. Houston took a 110-53 win over Montana Tech behind 19 points from sophomore forward Chase McCarty on Oct. 15 and followed that with a 83-66 win over #16/20 Michigan during The Battleground 2k26 inside Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Sunday.
Against Michigan, senior point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. led all players with 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting and dished out seven assists. Returning to his home state, graduate forward Delrecco Gillespie totaled 16 points and tied with senior forward Joseph Tugler, junior guard Mercy Miller and junior forward Braden East for team-high honors with six rebounds.
Thursday's game will be the first of 16 regular-season contests inside Fertitta Center this year.
PROMOTIONS
• Monday's game is presented by HEB.
• Fans can pick up the team's 2026-27 schedule poster as well as a poster celebrating Head Coach Kelvin Sampson's recent induction into the University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor.
• Current University of Houston students are invited to join our Student Tailgate beginning at 5 p.m., Monday, in Mike Cemo Plaza off Cullen Boulevard.
• Chris Holloway will perform the national anthem.
• At halftime, BASED breakdancing will perform.
• Following the game, Houston Vice President for Athletics Eddie Nuñez will present Sampson with a commemorative ball celebrating his Hall of Honor induction.
BUY REGULAR-SEASON TICKETS
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 16 regular-season 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.
SEASON OPENERS
• Houston is 62-19 in season openers during its history.
• The Cougars have won their last 17 season openers and 21 of their last 22... Only a 65-63 loss to Georgia Southern on the first day of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer in Durham, N.C., on Nov. 11, 2008, prevents a longer streak.
• Houston has won handily in recent history, winning its last 17 season openers by an average of 29.7 points per game (505 points in 17 games).
KELVIN SAMPSON in SEASON OPENERS
• Head Coach Kelvin Sampson is 34-3 record in season openers during his award-winning career.
• In season openers, Sampson is 12-0 during his Houston tenure... Posted a 2-0 record at Indiana, an 11-1 mark at Oklahoma a 6-1 record at Washington State and a 3-1 mark at Montana Tech.
• With the Nov. 3 win over Lehigh, Sampson's teams have won their last 17 season openers and 29 of the last 30... Only a 68-62 loss to Alabama at the AT&T Wireless Classic in New York on Nov. 14, 2002, prevents a longer streak.
• During his career, Sampson's teams have won by an average of 25.4 points per game (864 points in 34 wins).
• In his teams' 34 season-opening wins, only four teams have won by fewer than double digits... His first team at Houston in 2014-15 claimed a 77-74 win at Murray State on Nov. 14, 2014, in his most recent single-digit, season-opening win.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Monday's game on CBS Sports Network with Tom McCarthy (play-by-play), Chris Walker (analyst) and Gary Parrish (reporter) calling.
• Fans can hear Monday's game on 950 AM KPRC, the Varsity Network app, SiriusXM Ch. 177/237 or SiriuxSM app Ch. 961 with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (analyst). The pregame show begins at 7:45 p.m., Monday.
• Fans can follow live stats from Monday's game on StatBroadcast.
ABOUT La SALLE
• In 2025-26, La Salle posted a 9-23 overall record with a 5-13 mark in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
• The Explorers tied with Richmond for 11th in A-10 play.
• In its most recent action, La Salle took a 107-61 win over Neumann in an exhibition game inside John E. Glaser Arena in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
• Against Neumann, junior guard Rob Dockery led the Explorers with 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field and grabbed six rebounds with three assists and a pair of blocks. Devin Booker came off the bench to post 17 points with two assists while Anthony Finkley and RJ Smith posted 14 points apiece. Finkley led all players with nine rebounds while Smith dished out a game-high six assists.
• Dockery enters the 2026-27 season as the Explorers' returning leader in points (12.5), rebounds (6.1) and steals (1.5) from a year ago. Senior forward Jerome Brewer Jr. averaged 11.2 points to rank third on the team and added 4.2 rebounds per contest. Junior guard Jaden Johnson is the team's returning leader with 4.1 assists per game in 2025-26.
• Junior guard Rob Docker enters the 2026-27 season as the Explorers' returning leader in points (12.5), rebounds (6.1) and steals (1.5) from a year ago. Senior forward Jerome Brewer Jr. averaged 11.2 points to rank third on the team and added 4.2 rebounds per contest. Junior guard Jaden Johnson is the team's returing leader with 4.1 assists per game in 2025-26.
• Head Coach Darris Nichols is in his second season at La Salle and his sixth year as a collegiate head coach.
• Nichols has built a 9-23 record with La Salle and is 77-86 during his career.
• He previously compiled a 68-63 record at Radford (2021-25)..
• Monday's game will be the first time that Nichols has faced Houston during his career.
• Monday's game will be the first time that Nicholls has faced Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• Nichols is a 2008 graduate of West Virginia.
SERIES HISTORY vs. La SALLE
• Houston owns a 1-0 lead in the series, which began during the 1975-76 season.
• In the lone previous meeting, Houston took a 90-87 win over the #20/– Explorers during a consolation game at the Las Vegas Holiday Classic inside the Las Vegas Convention Center on Dec. 30, 1975.
• Monday's game will be the first time the series has been played on one of the schools' home courts.
at Home / in Fertitta Center: Monday's game will be the first time the series has been played on one of the schools' home courts.
UP NEXT
• Following Monday's game, Houston travels to meet California during the Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic inside Tahoe Blue Event Center at 7:30 p.m. (CST), Sunday, Nov. 8.
• That game can be seen on CW.
• From there, the Cougars return to Fertitta Center to play host to Jacksonville State at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 11.
• That game can be seen on ESPN+.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC, SiriusXM 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.
Fans should note the 8 p.m., starting time for Monday's opener.
The Cougars enter the opener as winners of each of its first two exhibition games. Houston took a 110-53 win over Montana Tech behind 19 points from sophomore forward Chase McCarty on Oct. 15 and followed that with a 83-66 win over #16/20 Michigan during The Battleground 2k26 inside Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Sunday.
Against Michigan, senior point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. led all players with 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting and dished out seven assists. Returning to his home state, graduate forward Delrecco Gillespie totaled 16 points and tied with senior forward Joseph Tugler, junior guard Mercy Miller and junior forward Braden East for team-high honors with six rebounds.
Thursday's game will be the first of 16 regular-season contests inside Fertitta Center this year.
PROMOTIONS
• Monday's game is presented by HEB.
• Fans can pick up the team's 2026-27 schedule poster as well as a poster celebrating Head Coach Kelvin Sampson's recent induction into the University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor.
• Current University of Houston students are invited to join our Student Tailgate beginning at 5 p.m., Monday, in Mike Cemo Plaza off Cullen Boulevard.
• Chris Holloway will perform the national anthem.
• At halftime, BASED breakdancing will perform.
• Following the game, Houston Vice President for Athletics Eddie Nuñez will present Sampson with a commemorative ball celebrating his Hall of Honor induction.
BUY REGULAR-SEASON TICKETS
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 16 regular-season 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.
SEASON OPENERS
• Houston is 62-19 in season openers during its history.
• The Cougars have won their last 17 season openers and 21 of their last 22... Only a 65-63 loss to Georgia Southern on the first day of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer in Durham, N.C., on Nov. 11, 2008, prevents a longer streak.
• Houston has won handily in recent history, winning its last 17 season openers by an average of 29.7 points per game (505 points in 17 games).
KELVIN SAMPSON in SEASON OPENERS
• Head Coach Kelvin Sampson is 34-3 record in season openers during his award-winning career.
• In season openers, Sampson is 12-0 during his Houston tenure... Posted a 2-0 record at Indiana, an 11-1 mark at Oklahoma a 6-1 record at Washington State and a 3-1 mark at Montana Tech.
• With the Nov. 3 win over Lehigh, Sampson's teams have won their last 17 season openers and 29 of the last 30... Only a 68-62 loss to Alabama at the AT&T Wireless Classic in New York on Nov. 14, 2002, prevents a longer streak.
• During his career, Sampson's teams have won by an average of 25.4 points per game (864 points in 34 wins).
• In his teams' 34 season-opening wins, only four teams have won by fewer than double digits... His first team at Houston in 2014-15 claimed a 77-74 win at Murray State on Nov. 14, 2014, in his most recent single-digit, season-opening win.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Monday's game on CBS Sports Network with Tom McCarthy (play-by-play), Chris Walker (analyst) and Gary Parrish (reporter) calling.
• Fans can hear Monday's game on 950 AM KPRC, the Varsity Network app, SiriusXM Ch. 177/237 or SiriuxSM app Ch. 961 with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (analyst). The pregame show begins at 7:45 p.m., Monday.
• Fans can follow live stats from Monday's game on StatBroadcast.
ABOUT La SALLE
• In 2025-26, La Salle posted a 9-23 overall record with a 5-13 mark in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
• The Explorers tied with Richmond for 11th in A-10 play.
• In its most recent action, La Salle took a 107-61 win over Neumann in an exhibition game inside John E. Glaser Arena in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
• Against Neumann, junior guard Rob Dockery led the Explorers with 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field and grabbed six rebounds with three assists and a pair of blocks. Devin Booker came off the bench to post 17 points with two assists while Anthony Finkley and RJ Smith posted 14 points apiece. Finkley led all players with nine rebounds while Smith dished out a game-high six assists.
• Dockery enters the 2026-27 season as the Explorers' returning leader in points (12.5), rebounds (6.1) and steals (1.5) from a year ago. Senior forward Jerome Brewer Jr. averaged 11.2 points to rank third on the team and added 4.2 rebounds per contest. Junior guard Jaden Johnson is the team's returning leader with 4.1 assists per game in 2025-26.
• Junior guard Rob Docker enters the 2026-27 season as the Explorers' returning leader in points (12.5), rebounds (6.1) and steals (1.5) from a year ago. Senior forward Jerome Brewer Jr. averaged 11.2 points to rank third on the team and added 4.2 rebounds per contest. Junior guard Jaden Johnson is the team's returing leader with 4.1 assists per game in 2025-26.
• Head Coach Darris Nichols is in his second season at La Salle and his sixth year as a collegiate head coach.
• Nichols has built a 9-23 record with La Salle and is 77-86 during his career.
• He previously compiled a 68-63 record at Radford (2021-25)..
• Monday's game will be the first time that Nichols has faced Houston during his career.
• Monday's game will be the first time that Nicholls has faced Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• Nichols is a 2008 graduate of West Virginia.
SERIES HISTORY vs. La SALLE
• Houston owns a 1-0 lead in the series, which began during the 1975-76 season.
• In the lone previous meeting, Houston took a 90-87 win over the #20/– Explorers during a consolation game at the Las Vegas Holiday Classic inside the Las Vegas Convention Center on Dec. 30, 1975.
• Monday's game will be the first time the series has been played on one of the schools' home courts.
at Home / in Fertitta Center: Monday's game will be the first time the series has been played on one of the schools' home courts.
UP NEXT
• Following Monday's game, Houston travels to meet California during the Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic inside Tahoe Blue Event Center at 7:30 p.m. (CST), Sunday, Nov. 8.
• That game can be seen on CW.
• From there, the Cougars return to Fertitta Center to play host to Jacksonville State at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 11.
• That game can be seen on ESPN+.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC, SiriusXM 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 –
Players Mentioned
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