{"id":365305,"date":"2026-08-07T13:46:31","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T13:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/365305\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T13:46:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T13:46:31","slug":"mens-basketball-faces-florida-state-in-jacksonville-hoops-showdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/365305\/","title":{"rendered":"Men\u2019s Basketball Faces Florida State in Jacksonville Hoops Showdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ChaseHOUSTON \u2013 The University of Houston Men’s Basketball program will face Florida State on December 20 during the Jacksonville Hoops Showdown inside VyStar\u00a0Veterans Memorial Arena, event organizers announced Thursday.
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\nTip time and television information will be announced soon. Tickets will be available through a one-day presale beginning at 10 a.m. (CDT), October 20, followed by the public sale 10 a.m. (CDT), October 21.
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\nAdditional tickets information will be announced ahead of the on-sale dates.\u00a0
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\nSERIES HISTORY vs. FLORIDA STATE
\nThis will be the second straight season in which the Cougars face Florida State on the hardwood.
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\nA year ago, guard Emanuel Sharp<\/a> poured in a game-high 27 points with six 3-pointers, and point guard Kingston Flemings<\/a> totaled 21 points with three rebounds, five assists and a game-high eight steals in an 82-67 win inside Toyota Center in Houston during the Houston Hoops Showdown.
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\nThe Cougars own a 4-2 lead in the series history and have won the last three meetings against the Seminoles. This will be the first meeting in Florida since #12 Florida State claimed an 86-79 win in Tallahassee, Fla., on January 16, 1972.
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\nABOUT the COUGARS
\nForward Joseph Tugler<\/a> 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.
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\nAfter 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\u00a0 Monroe, La., native also was named to the league’s All-Defensive Team for the second straight season.
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\nJunior guard Mercy Miller<\/a>, sophomore forward Chase McCarty<\/a> and sophomore guard Kordel Jefferson<\/a> 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.
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\nJefferson was sidelined by a knee injury early in the season but returns after successful surgery and rehabilitation.
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\nThat veteran group will be joined by an eight-man newcomer class with freshman guard Ikenna Aloze, freshman center Arafan Dian\u00e9, freshman center Djafar Silimana<\/a>, junior forward Braden East<\/a>, graduate guard Corey Hadnot II<\/a>, graduate guard Delrecco Gillespie<\/a>, senior guard Dedan Thomas Jr and freshman guard Tyus Thomas<\/a>.
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\nBUY TICKETS
\nNon-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List by clicking here.<\/a>
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\nSUPPORT YOUR COOGS
\nFans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men’s Basketball by providing NIL opportunities<\/a> and by joining the 50-50 Club<\/a>, which provides financial support directly to Houston Men’s Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
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\nFans 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.
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\nSTAY CONNECTED
\nFans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK<\/a> 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<\/a> or by visiting the team’s Instagram page at UHCougarMBK<\/a>.
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\u2013 UHCougars.com \u2013<\/p>\n

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