PROVO, Utah - Following its 20-point victory over Arizona State in its Big 12 opener, BYU heads to The Lone Star State on Saturday, Jan. 4, to face No. 14 Houston. Tip is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT.
WHERE TO WATCH
Saturday's contest will be available on ESPN+ with Jay Alter and Reid Gettys on the call.
COUGARS HAVE TO WIN, RIGHT?!
Saturday will be the 10th all-time meeting between BYU and Houston with the 14th ranked Cougars holding a 6-3 advantage including a 3-1 record in Space City.
Nov. 15, 2019
— Connor Newcomb (@ConnorNewcomb_) March 15, 2020
In a game between two teams that would have made the NCAA Tournament, TJ Haws gets the shooter’s roll of all shooter’s rolls at the buzzer to give BYU the road win over Houston.https://t.co/xGXGrv3S5h
Th Cougars only win over Houston in the Bayou City came on No.v 15, 2019 when TJ Haws hit a contested jumper as time ran out to give BYU a 72-71 victory.
HOME IS WHERE THE WINS ARE
BYU will look to end the nation's longest home win streak on Saturday as Houston has won 29 straight games at the Fertitta Center with their last loss coming on Jan. 22, 2023 in a 56-55 setback to Temple.
The Cougars have a decent win streak themselves having won 14 straight at the Marriott Center. They are one of four Big 12 schools with a home win streak of 10 or more.
NO COLONEL SAUNDERS, YOU'RE WRONG
Saturday will be a matchup between two of the four Big 12 players who have scored 30 or more points this season in BYU's Richie Saunders and Houston's LJ Cryer.
CAREER HIGH 30 POINTS FOR RICHIE🔥 pic.twitter.com/8MWQZ3Vrss
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) December 31, 2024
In the win over Arizona State, Saunders became the first Cougar to eclipse the 30-point plateau since Alex Barcello finished with 33 points in a win at Pepperdine on Feb. 12, 2022.
PROTECTING THE BOARDS
BYU ranks first in the Big 12 and second in NCAA Division I men's basketball in rebound margin (+13.2) as the Cougars have outrebounded 11 of their 12 opponents this season.
WILLING TO TAKE THEIR SHOT
The Cougars average a Big 12 high 11.2 3-pointers pre game. BYU also ranks first in the league in 3-point field goals attempts per game with 30.7. Houston on the other hand is only allowing 6.4 3-pointers per contest while holding opponents to 28.4 percent from beyond the arc.
IMPORTANT TO MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION
BYU ranks second in the Big 12 in defensive rebounds per game (28.5) as the Cougars are outscoring opponents 176-56 in second chance points this season.
UP NEXT
BYU returns to the friendly confines of the Marriott Center on Tuesday, Jan. 7, to host Texas Tech. It will be the first meeting in Provo since a 84-74 win for the Cougars on Dec. 17, 1993.
