NCAA Sweet 16 Tonight: 9:55 p.m. Midwest (11) Syracuse vs. (2) Houston, at Hinkle Fieldhouse, TBS; Cougars game preview

Cougars tip off vs. Orange at 8:55 p.m. (CDT) Saturday inside Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis

http://westwoodonesports.com/madness

https://uhcougars.com/documents/2021/3/24/mbkb_HoustonNotes_03272021.pdf

https://uhcougars.com/documents/2021/3/25/mbkb_SyracuseNotes_03272021.pdf

https://uhcougars.com/documents/2021/3/24/mbkb_AmericanNotes_03242021.pdf

INDIANAPOLIS – The University of Houston Men’s Basketball program returns to action when it takes on No. 11 seed Syracuse at 8:55 p.m. (CDT) Saturday inside Hinkle Fieldhouse in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Region Sweet 16.

This marks the Cougars’ 13th appearance in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 and the team’s second straight berth.

The sixth-ranked and No. 2 seed Cougars earned their ticket to the Sweet 16 after taking a hard-fought 63-60 win over (10) Rutgers on Saturday night inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

Trailing by 10 in the second half, Houston used a 14-2 run over the final 4:55 to take the win against the Scarlet Knights. Freshman guard Tramon Mark snared an offensive rebound and put it back  up and in while being fouled to tie the game at 60-all and then drained the ensuing free throw to give the Cougars the lead for good with only 24 seconds remaining.

Sophomore guard Marcus Sasser then forced a Rutgers turnover on the next possession and converted both free throws for the final margin of victory.

This season, junior guard Quentin Grimes leads the Cougars with 18.1 points per game and ranks second on the team with 6.0 rebounds per contest.

The Woodlands, Texas, native became the first Cougar to earn All-America honor of any kind since 1999 and the first Cougar to be named to any of the first three All-America teams since 1984.

TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Saturday’s Sweet 16 game on TBS with Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Jim Jackson (analyst) and Allie LaForce (reporter).
• Fans can hear Saturday’s Sweet 16 game on KPRC 950 AM with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play). The pregame show begins at 8:40 p.m. (CDT)
• Fans also can hear the game on Westwood One with Kevin Kugler (play-by-play) and P.J. Carlesimo (analyst) calling.

UP NEXT              
• With a win over (11) Syracuse, the Cougars would advance to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight for the sixth time in school history and the first time since 1984.
• There, the Cougars would face the winner of (8) Loyola Chicago-(12) Oregon State.
• Game time, location and network for the Elite Eight will be announced in the near future.

JOIN the 2021-22 SEASON-TICKET PRIORITY WAIT LIST
Houston Men’s Basketball fans can join the season ticket priority wait list for the 2021-22 season inside the Fertitta Center with a $75 deposit today. To place a deposit for the 2021 season, click here or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-4667).

JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men’s Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.

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.

For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (46874).

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on 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 –

Otto the Orange

COURTESY HOUSTON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS