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University of Houston Athletics
Saturday, February 28
Houston
11 a.m.
University of Houston
vs
Colorado
PREVIEW: #5/4 Houston Men’s Basketball Hosts Colorado on Saturday
2/27/2026 10:44:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Digital Game ProgramPreview – Coach Kelvin Sampson (YouTube)Watch (ESPN2)Listen (950 AM KPRC)Listen (Varsity Network app)Listen (SiriusXM Ch. 83)Live Stats (StatBroadcast)Houston Game Notes (PDF)Colorado Game Notes (PDF)Big 12 Notes (PDF)
Coogs tip off at 11 a.m., inside Fertitta Center in Big 12 Conference action
HOUSTON – The #5/4 University of Houston Men's Basketball program begins the final week of its home schedule when it plays host to Big 12 Conference rival Colorado at 11 a.m., Saturday, inside Fertitta Center in a game presented by Ford.
The Cougars enter Saturday's game following a 69-56 loss at #14/14 Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., on Monday night. Freshman point guard Kingston Flemings led the Cougars with 16 points and grabbed two rebounds with a pair of assists.
With his scoring total, Flemings set the Houston freshman single-season scoring record and now has 465 points in 2025-26. His total topped the previous high of 456 points by guard Rob Williams during the 1979-80 campaign.
Flemings leads the Cougars and ranks among the Big 12 leaders with 16.6 points per game. The San Antonio, Texas, native also tops the team with 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals per contest.
Freshman center/forward Chris Cenac Jr. leads the Cougars and stands among the Big 12 Top-10 leaders with 7.8 rebounds per game. The New Orleans native leads Houston with 11 double-digit rebounding performances in his inaugural collegiate season and is poised to become the first freshman to lead the Cougars in rebounding since forward TaShawn Thomas in 2011-12.
Senior guard Emanuel Sharp prepares for his final two home games inside Fertitta Center during his collegiate career. He stands second on the team with 16.0 points per game and became the Cougars' career 3-point leader after draining a career-high eight treys in a road win at Utah.
PROMOTIONS
• Saturday's game is presented by Ford.
• Fans can view Saturday's digital game program by clicking here.
• Saturday's game is part of SLAM Day. With the Cougars being featured on the recent digital cover of SLAM, SLAM merchandise will be available inside the UH Team Shop inside Fertitta Center.
• Coach Kelvin Sampson has purchased 1,000 Shipley donuts to be given to current UH students as they enter Fertitta Center through the Cullen Boulevard doors.
• Current UH students also will receive FREE Crazy Hair from Ford as they enter the arena.
• Current UH students may sign in with their dormitory name at the Student Entrance off Cullen Boulevard. The dorm with the most students signing in will receive a FREE pizza party during Finals Week.
• Best Friends Animal Society will be on hand with some four-legged friends during the Student Tailgate beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday. Fans will enjoy a Cuddle Lounge in Cemo Plaza off Cullen Boulevard, and the Adoption Van will be available for fans off Holman Street.
• Prior to the game, Cougar Brass will perform the national anthem.
TOUGH STRETCH
• The Cougars' run against nationally ranked opponents in recent games has certainly been a historic run.
• Houston fell 67-70 at #6/6 Iowa State (February 16), 66-73, vs. #4/4 Arizona (February 21) and 56-69, at #14/14 Kansas (February 23).
• With their recent NCAA Tournament success, the Cougars are used to facing top opponents. In its run to the 2025 NCAA Tournament National Championship game, Houston faced five straight ranked opponents and six in its last seven contests.
• That run included: vs. #24/23 (8) Gonzaga (Second Round, W, 81-76, March 22, 2025) vs. #22/22 (4) Purdue (Sweet 16, W, 62-60, March 28, 2025); vs. #6/6 (2) Tennessee (Elite Eight, W, 69-50); vs. #1/1 (1) Duke (Final Four . W, 70-67) and vs. #3/3 (1) Florida (National Championship Game, L, 63-65).
• However, you have to go a bit farther back for regular-season games. According to the best UH research, the 2025-26 Cougars' run of three straight ranked opponents in regular-season games is the longest since the 1970-71 season.
• That year, Houston defeated #18 Oregon, 81-68, during the Bluebonnet Classic in Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston (December 2, 1970) and defeated #10 Villanova, 99-84 (December 18, 1970) and fell to host #12 Kansas, 73-89) with the last two games at the Jayhawk Classic in Lawrence, Kan.
• You must return to the 1957-58 season to find the last time the Cougars played three straight Top-15 opponents in regular-season games.
• That year, the Cougars lost 73-75 in overtime to #12 Bradley in Houston (January 6, 1958); lost 80-116, at #10 Bradley (January 11, 1958) and lost 57-93, at #7 Cincinnati (January 13, 1958).
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Saturday's game on ESPN2 with Mike Monaco (play-by-play) and Miles Simon (analyst).
• Fans can hear Saturday's game on 950 AM KPRC, the Varsity Network app and SiriusXM Ch. 83 with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes. The pregame show begins at 10:45 a.m., Saturday.
• Fans can follow live stats from Monday's game on StatBroadcast.
BUY TICKETS
Single-game home tickets for all games inside Fertitta Center are now on sale, and fans are encouraged to purchase quickly while supplies last. The two-time defending Big 12 Conference Champions, Houston will play host to two more conference games in 2025-26.
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 COLORADO
• Colorado enters Saturday's game with a 16-12 overall record. The Buffaloes are 6-9 in Big 12 Conference play to stand 11th in the league.
• Colorado has won its last two games. Those wins snapped a two-game losing streak.
• The Buffaloes are 1-7 in road games this season.
• In its most recent action, Colorado defeated Kansas State, 79-70, inside CU Events Center in Boulder, Colo., on Wednesday night.
• Against Kansas State, freshman guard Isaiah Johnson led five Buffaloes in double digits with 18 points and topped the team with nine rebounds and seven assists. Freshman guard Ian Inman came off the bench to post 17 points, thanks to 5-of-7 shooting from long range, and added five rebounds, while junior guard Barrington Hargress totaled 15 points with four rebounds and four assists. Sophomore forward Sebastian Rancik finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals while junior forward Bangot Dak recorded 10 points with six rebounds and a game-high four blocks.
• This season, Johnson leads Colorado with 16.3 points and 1.0 steals per game. Hargress stands second with 14.6 points and 0.9 steals per game but leads the team with 4.4 assists per contest. Rancik is third on the team with 12.3 points per game. Dak averages 10.8 points per game to rank fourth but leads Colorado with 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.
• Head Coach Tad Boyle is in his 16th season at Colorado and his 20th year as a collegiate head coach.
• Boyle has built a 328-216 record with Colorado and is 384-282 during his career.
• He previously compiled 56-66 record at Northern Colorado (2006-10).
• Boyle has posted an 0-2 record against Houston during his Colorado career.
• Boyle has compiled an 0-2 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during his Colorado and Sampson's Houston careers.
• Boyle is a 1985 graduate of Kansas.
SERIES HISTORY vs. COLORADO
• Houston owns a 5-3 lead against Colorado in the series, which began during the 1963-64 season.
• Saturday's game will be the lone regular-season meeting against Colorado during the 2025-26 season.
• This marks the second straight season in which the two schools will square off as Big 12 Conference rivals.
• Houston has won the last two meetings against Colorado in the series. Those wins snapped a two-game losing streak to the Buffaloes.
• In the most recent meeting, #2/2 Houston took a 77-68 win over Colorado during the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship Quarterfinals inside T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., on March 13, 2025.
• In the series' first meeting, Colorado claimed a 72-61 win in Boulder, Colo., on December 12, 1963
at Home: The Cougars have posted a 2-1 record in home games played in Houston against Colorado during the series history.
• Colorado can boast of the most recent success after taking an 85-66 win inside Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston on December 30, 1994.
• That win snapped the Cougars' three-game winning streak against the Buffaloes.
• In the' first home encounter, the Cougars enjoyed a 70-61 win in Houston on December 19, 1965.
in Fertitta Center: Saturday's game will be the first time that Houston has faced Colorado inside Fertitta Center.
UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, Houston closes its 2025-26 home schedule when it faces Baylor on Senior Night at 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 4, inside Fertitta Center. That game will air on ESPN2.
• Prior to Wednesday's game, the Cougars will honor their senior class of 2026: center Kalifa Sakho, guard Ramon Walker Jr., point guard Milos Uzan and guard Emanuel Sharp.
• From there, the Cougars close the regular season when they meet Oklahoma State at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 7, inside Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla. That game will air on CBS.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC, the Varsity Network app and Sirius XM Radio.
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.
The Cougars enter Saturday's game following a 69-56 loss at #14/14 Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., on Monday night. Freshman point guard Kingston Flemings led the Cougars with 16 points and grabbed two rebounds with a pair of assists.
With his scoring total, Flemings set the Houston freshman single-season scoring record and now has 465 points in 2025-26. His total topped the previous high of 456 points by guard Rob Williams during the 1979-80 campaign.
Flemings leads the Cougars and ranks among the Big 12 leaders with 16.6 points per game. The San Antonio, Texas, native also tops the team with 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals per contest.
Freshman center/forward Chris Cenac Jr. leads the Cougars and stands among the Big 12 Top-10 leaders with 7.8 rebounds per game. The New Orleans native leads Houston with 11 double-digit rebounding performances in his inaugural collegiate season and is poised to become the first freshman to lead the Cougars in rebounding since forward TaShawn Thomas in 2011-12.
Senior guard Emanuel Sharp prepares for his final two home games inside Fertitta Center during his collegiate career. He stands second on the team with 16.0 points per game and became the Cougars' career 3-point leader after draining a career-high eight treys in a road win at Utah.
PROMOTIONS• Saturday's game is presented by Ford.
• Fans can view Saturday's digital game program by clicking here.
• Saturday's game is part of SLAM Day. With the Cougars being featured on the recent digital cover of SLAM, SLAM merchandise will be available inside the UH Team Shop inside Fertitta Center.
• Coach Kelvin Sampson has purchased 1,000 Shipley donuts to be given to current UH students as they enter Fertitta Center through the Cullen Boulevard doors.
• Current UH students also will receive FREE Crazy Hair from Ford as they enter the arena.
• Current UH students may sign in with their dormitory name at the Student Entrance off Cullen Boulevard. The dorm with the most students signing in will receive a FREE pizza party during Finals Week.
• Best Friends Animal Society will be on hand with some four-legged friends during the Student Tailgate beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday. Fans will enjoy a Cuddle Lounge in Cemo Plaza off Cullen Boulevard, and the Adoption Van will be available for fans off Holman Street.
• Prior to the game, Cougar Brass will perform the national anthem.
TOUGH STRETCH
• The Cougars' run against nationally ranked opponents in recent games has certainly been a historic run.
• Houston fell 67-70 at #6/6 Iowa State (February 16), 66-73, vs. #4/4 Arizona (February 21) and 56-69, at #14/14 Kansas (February 23).
• With their recent NCAA Tournament success, the Cougars are used to facing top opponents. In its run to the 2025 NCAA Tournament National Championship game, Houston faced five straight ranked opponents and six in its last seven contests.
• That run included: vs. #24/23 (8) Gonzaga (Second Round, W, 81-76, March 22, 2025) vs. #22/22 (4) Purdue (Sweet 16, W, 62-60, March 28, 2025); vs. #6/6 (2) Tennessee (Elite Eight, W, 69-50); vs. #1/1 (1) Duke (Final Four . W, 70-67) and vs. #3/3 (1) Florida (National Championship Game, L, 63-65).
• However, you have to go a bit farther back for regular-season games. According to the best UH research, the 2025-26 Cougars' run of three straight ranked opponents in regular-season games is the longest since the 1970-71 season.
• That year, Houston defeated #18 Oregon, 81-68, during the Bluebonnet Classic in Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston (December 2, 1970) and defeated #10 Villanova, 99-84 (December 18, 1970) and fell to host #12 Kansas, 73-89) with the last two games at the Jayhawk Classic in Lawrence, Kan.
• You must return to the 1957-58 season to find the last time the Cougars played three straight Top-15 opponents in regular-season games.
• That year, the Cougars lost 73-75 in overtime to #12 Bradley in Houston (January 6, 1958); lost 80-116, at #10 Bradley (January 11, 1958) and lost 57-93, at #7 Cincinnati (January 13, 1958).
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Saturday's game on ESPN2 with Mike Monaco (play-by-play) and Miles Simon (analyst).
• Fans can hear Saturday's game on 950 AM KPRC, the Varsity Network app and SiriusXM Ch. 83 with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes. The pregame show begins at 10:45 a.m., Saturday.
• Fans can follow live stats from Monday's game on StatBroadcast.
BUY TICKETS
Single-game home tickets for all games inside Fertitta Center are now on sale, and fans are encouraged to purchase quickly while supplies last. The two-time defending Big 12 Conference Champions, Houston will play host to two more conference games in 2025-26.
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 COLORADO
• Colorado enters Saturday's game with a 16-12 overall record. The Buffaloes are 6-9 in Big 12 Conference play to stand 11th in the league.
• Colorado has won its last two games. Those wins snapped a two-game losing streak.
• The Buffaloes are 1-7 in road games this season.
• In its most recent action, Colorado defeated Kansas State, 79-70, inside CU Events Center in Boulder, Colo., on Wednesday night.
• Against Kansas State, freshman guard Isaiah Johnson led five Buffaloes in double digits with 18 points and topped the team with nine rebounds and seven assists. Freshman guard Ian Inman came off the bench to post 17 points, thanks to 5-of-7 shooting from long range, and added five rebounds, while junior guard Barrington Hargress totaled 15 points with four rebounds and four assists. Sophomore forward Sebastian Rancik finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals while junior forward Bangot Dak recorded 10 points with six rebounds and a game-high four blocks.
• This season, Johnson leads Colorado with 16.3 points and 1.0 steals per game. Hargress stands second with 14.6 points and 0.9 steals per game but leads the team with 4.4 assists per contest. Rancik is third on the team with 12.3 points per game. Dak averages 10.8 points per game to rank fourth but leads Colorado with 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.
• Head Coach Tad Boyle is in his 16th season at Colorado and his 20th year as a collegiate head coach.
• Boyle has built a 328-216 record with Colorado and is 384-282 during his career.
• He previously compiled 56-66 record at Northern Colorado (2006-10).
• Boyle has posted an 0-2 record against Houston during his Colorado career.
• Boyle has compiled an 0-2 record against Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson during his Colorado and Sampson's Houston careers.
• Boyle is a 1985 graduate of Kansas.
SERIES HISTORY vs. COLORADO
• Houston owns a 5-3 lead against Colorado in the series, which began during the 1963-64 season.
• Saturday's game will be the lone regular-season meeting against Colorado during the 2025-26 season.
• This marks the second straight season in which the two schools will square off as Big 12 Conference rivals.
• Houston has won the last two meetings against Colorado in the series. Those wins snapped a two-game losing streak to the Buffaloes.
• In the most recent meeting, #2/2 Houston took a 77-68 win over Colorado during the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship Quarterfinals inside T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., on March 13, 2025.
• In the series' first meeting, Colorado claimed a 72-61 win in Boulder, Colo., on December 12, 1963
at Home: The Cougars have posted a 2-1 record in home games played in Houston against Colorado during the series history.
• Colorado can boast of the most recent success after taking an 85-66 win inside Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston on December 30, 1994.
• That win snapped the Cougars' three-game winning streak against the Buffaloes.
• In the' first home encounter, the Cougars enjoyed a 70-61 win in Houston on December 19, 1965.
in Fertitta Center: Saturday's game will be the first time that Houston has faced Colorado inside Fertitta Center.
UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, Houston closes its 2025-26 home schedule when it faces Baylor on Senior Night at 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 4, inside Fertitta Center. That game will air on ESPN2.
• Prior to Wednesday's game, the Cougars will honor their senior class of 2026: center Kalifa Sakho, guard Ramon Walker Jr., point guard Milos Uzan and guard Emanuel Sharp.
• From there, the Cougars close the regular season when they meet Oklahoma State at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 7, inside Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla. That game will air on CBS.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC, the Varsity Network app and Sirius XM Radio.
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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