
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kevin M Cox/AP/Shutterstock (13774839c) Houston guard Marcus Sasser (0) and Memphis guard Keonte Kennedy (1) chase the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, in Houston Memphis Basketball, Houston, United States – 19 Feb 2023
PREVIEW: No. 1 Houston Cougars basketball ends regular season against Memphis Tigers
The end of the regular season is finally here, and No. 1 Houston Cougars basketball will end it on the road in a rematch against the Memphis Tigers on Sunday morning.
Houston (28-2, 16-1 American Athletic) has clinched the conference regular season title and is the No. 1 seed in the AAC tournament, which will begin next Thursday in Fort Worth. UH will not play until Friday.
For the Cougars, Sunday’s game will offer the team an opportunity to secure another Quad One win as it pursues the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. UH is 4-1 in Quad One games this season. It will also be a chance to spoil the Tigers’ senior night.
For Memphis (23-7, 13-4 AAC), the game can provide a key, resumé-building win in its pursuit of earning an at-large NCAA Tournament bid.
The last time both teams met was on Feb. 19 inside Fertitta Center. Memphis was without fifth-year senior Kendric Davis, who missed the game with a right ankle injury.
The Cougars came away with the 72-64 victory. UH was led by senior guard Marcus Sasser, who had 20 points. Houston junior forward J’Wan Roberts had 20 points and 12 rebounds in the win.
Memphis was led by Elijah McCadden, who had 20 points. Fifth-year senior DeAndre Williams had 18 points, but he also fouled out.
The personal fouls were the story of the game for both teams in that meeting. There were 39 combined fouls called in the first meeting between the Cougars and Tigers.
For Sasser, the next 3-point basket he makes will make him the outright holder for most career 3-point field goals made in the history of the Houston Cougars basketball team. He tied Robert McKiver for first on Thursday against Wichita State. Both have 261 career 3-pointers at UH.
Sunday’s game between Houston and Memphis is slated to tipoff at 11 a.m. and will air on CBS. The radio call will be on KPRC 950 AM in Houston.