Tulane University
University of Houston
Tulane Men's Basketball Set to Welcome No. 14 Houston
Feb 22, 2022 | Men's Basketball
GAMENOTES
NEW ORLEANSÂ -Â The Tulane University men's basketball team returns to action on Wednesday as it hosts the No. 14 Houston Cougars. The contest will mark the teams' second meeting this year. The game will tipoff at 7 p.m. CT and will be aired live on ESPN+.
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The Green Wave's matchup with Houston will be aired live on ESPN+. Fans also can listen to the game live on the radio by tuning into 104.1 The Spot or by CLICKING HERE. Tulane's "Voice of the Green Wave" Corey Gloor will call the action live.
STARTING FIVE
1. The Tulane University men's basketball team returns to action on Wednesday as it hosts the No. 14 Houston Cougars. The contest will mark the teams' second meeting this year, but the first inside Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse.
2. The Green Wave hosts the Cougars after picking up a 76-57 win over the USF Bulls. Tulane is looking for their tenth conference win of the season, which is more than the last three seasons combined.
3. With a win, Tulane would capture its first win against a ranked opponent since their victory over No. 25 NC State on Dec. 22, 1999.
4. This season, head coach Ron Hunter's staff welcomes back six letter winners, six newcomers and three starters, including preseason All-American Athletic Conference honoree Jaylen Forbes. Forbes is one of three players on the team, averaging 10-or-more points per game. Freshman Jalen Cook leads the team with 18.1 points per game - a figure that ranks second in the American Athletic Conference. As a team, Tulane is averaging 73.9 points per game and connecting at a 44.3 percent clip.
5. The Green Wave have won the turnover battle in 19 of their 22 games this season. During the 2020-21 campaign, Tulane won the turnover battle in 19 of its 23 contests last season while also forcing opponents into at least 15 mishaps on 11 occasions. During the 2019-20 campaign, the Green Wave committed equal or fewer turnovers than its opponents in 28 of 30 contests while ranking in the top 20 nationally in turnover margin (+4.2).
THE SERIES
• Tulane's matchup with Houston will mark the 37th all-time meeting between the two teams.
• Houston is on a six-game win streak versus Tulane. The last time Tulane beat Houston was Jan. 17, 2018 in New Orleans where they took the game 81-72.
• Green Wave head coach Ron Hunter is 0-6 all-time against Houston.
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TULANE BY THE NUMBERS
249 -Â Tulane has made at least one 3-point field goal in 249 consecutive games. The last time the Green Wave failed to do so came on Jan. 16, 2014 at home against Louisiana Tech when they went 0-for-14 from outside.
52.4 - Forward Kevin Cross is first in the American Athletic Conference in field goal percentage connecting at a 52.4 percent rate from the floor.
35.6 - Jaylen Forbes' 35.6 minutes per game lead the AAC.
18.1 - Jalen Cook is averaging 18.1 points per game, a figure that ranks second in the AAC.
16 - Tulane has faced 16 opponents this season which came into their meeting with the Green Wave with a record of .500 or better.
10 – Tulane ranks 10th in the nation in the fewest turnovers.
9 - The Green Wave picked up their ninth league win of the year on Feb. 15 vs. USF which is more than its conference wins total from a year ago.
1 - Tulane ranks first in the American in turnover margin.
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WITH A WIN OVER HOUSTON…
• Tulane would capture its first win against a ranked opponent since Dec.22, 1999 (No. 25 NC State).
• Tulane would have ten conference wins for the first time ever in American Athletic Conference play.
• Tulane would have 13 wins on the year, their most wins since the 2017-18 season (14).
• Tulane would get their first win over Houston since Jan. 17, 2018.
• Head coach Ron Hunter would collect his first win versus Houston.
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THE OPPONENT - HOUSTON
• Houston claimed a 73-62 win over the Green Wave inside the Fertitta Center on Feb. 2
• No. 14 Houston comes off a stirring 76-74 double-overtime victory over Wichita State.
• The Cougars remain in sole possession of first place in the conference and keep the momentum heading toward March.
• Houston two conference losses come from Memphis and SMU.
• Jamal Shead leads the conference in assists per game averaging 5.5 and total steals with 47.
LAST TIME OUT: WAVE STIFLES THE BULLS
• Tulane led by as many as 23 as it collected its ninth conference win, continuing its best AAC campaign since joining the conference in 2015.
• The Green Wave shot a cool 53% from the field and 39% from three while going a perfect 9/9 from the free-throw line.
• Tulane was outrebounded by USF 36-25.
• Jaylen Forbes poured in 22 points on 8/13 shooting, his fourth straight game with at least 20 points.
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2021-22 AACÂ STATISTICAL LEADERS (TOP 10)
SCORING AVG.
2. Jalen Cook 18.1
4. Jaylen Forbes 16.7
10. Kevin Cross 14.1
REBOUNDS AVG.
5. Kevin Cross 6.5
FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE PCT.
2. Kevin Cross .524
6. Jaylen Forbes .432
7. Jalen Cook .429
ASSISTS AVG.
7. Jalen Cook 3.7
9. Kevin Cross 3.5
FREE THROW PERCENTAGE PCT.
8. Jalen Cook .796
10. Jaylen Forbes .769
STEALS AVG.
3. Sion James 1.70
10. Jalen Cook 1.55
3-POINT FG MADE AVG.
2. Jaylen Forbes 39.5
ASSIST/TURNOVER RATIO AVG.
5. Sion James 1.90
8. Jalen Cook 1.71
DEFENSIVE REBOUNDS AVG.
1. Kevin Cross 5.68
8. Jaylen Forbes 4.48
MINUTES PLAYED AVG.
1. Jaylen Forbes 35.6
2. Sion James 34.5
6. Jalen Cook 34.1
POWERFUL MINDS
The Tulane coaching staff will be wearing Pow6rful Minds patches during the game. This AAC wide campaign aims to bring awareness to mental health.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL TULANE ATHLETICS APP
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
TICKETS
Tickets for the 2021-22 season can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For behind-the-scenes coverage, follow Tulane men's basketball (@GreenWaveMBB) on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out at NolaBuilt.com.
