{"id":461719,"date":"2026-10-10T00:42:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T00:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/461719\/"},"modified":"2026-10-10T00:42:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T00:42:09","slug":"mens-basketball-fans-encouraged-to-donate-books-for-drive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/461719\/","title":{"rendered":"Men\u2019s Basketball Fans Encouraged to Donate Books for Drive"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Cougar

\nHOUSTON \u2013 As the University of Houston Men’s Basketball program prepares for its exhibition opener against Montana Tech next week, Cougar fans are encouraged to donate books at that game.
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\nThe Cougars play host to Montana Tech at 7 p.m., Thursday, inside Fertitta Center.
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\nUnder the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson<\/a>, who begins his 13th season at Houston in 2026-27, the Cougars are joining Commuter Ambassadors and the UH Dean of Students office for the Cougar Book Drive.
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\nThis initiative will help deliver books to the hands of children in the Third Ward and surrounding community. Fans will be able to drop off their book donations at tables by the ticket scanners inside Fertitta Center as they walk in.
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\nIn addition to the Fertitta Center doors, fans also are able to make book donations at the UH Children’s Learning Center, the Dean of Students Office in Student Center South and the UH Police Department.
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\nBUY EXHIBITION TICKETS
\nFans can purchase tickets for this exhibition game for only $10 with all seats (except courtside) available for purchase by clicking here<\/a> and following the appropriate links.
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\nTo purchase parking passes and for the parking map for this exhibition game, fans may click here<\/a>.
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\nCurrent University of Houston students may claim their tickets by clicking here<\/a>.
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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 a finalist for the Naismith National Defensive Player of the Award for presented by MOLECULE and to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team, each 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 forward Delrecco Gillespie<\/a>, senior guard Dedan Thomas Jr.<\/a>, freshman guard Tyus Thomas<\/a> and graduate guard Chendall Weaver<\/a>.
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\nBUY SEASON 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