Houston Cougars release 2011-2012 men's basketball schedule

POSTED: September 22, 2011 -- 6:14 p.m. CDT

Houston Cougars men's basketball head coach, James Dickey, announced his team's 2011-2012 basketball schedule. The schedule features a school-record tying 19 home games inside the friendly confines of Hofheinz Pavilion.

“We understand that we have a young team with eight new players, including five freshmen,” said Dickey, who is in his second year at the helm of the program. “We wanted a schedule that would be challenging and prepare us as well as give us opportunities for national exposure.”

The schedule features 18 regular-season contests and a November 8 exhibition game to open the season. It will tie for the most home games in school single-season history, equaling the 2007-08 team, which posted a 17-2 mark in front of the hometown fans.

The Cougars’ schedule also features nine games on television this season. Houston will play LSU (November 29) and Memphis (January 14) at Hofheinz Pavilion on CBS Sports Network. The Cougars’ showdown against city-rival Rice at Hofheinz Pavilion will air on Fox Sports Net on February 8.

Houston meets Big 12 member Oklahoma on December 17 in Oklahoma City during the 76th Annual All-College Classic in a game televised on ESPNU.

The Cougars begin Conference USA action January 4, 2012, with the first of eight home conference games. The conference home opener is against Tulsa. Houston also welcomes Memphis (January 14), East Carolina (January 21), UTEP (January 28), Rice (Feb. 8), Southern Miss (February 18), SMU (February 25) and Tulane (February 29).

The Cougars hit the road throughout the C-USA slate to face UTEP (January 7), UCF (January 11), SMU (January 18), UAB (February 1), Tulane (February 4), Tulsa (February 11), Marshall (February 22) and Rice(March 3).

“Conference USA is an underrated league with outstanding coaches, players and teams that provide a challenge every night. It's very difficult to win on the road or at home in this league,” Dickey said. “We are excited about our young talent, and we look forward to an exciting and challenging race.”

Following the regular season, the Cougars return to Memphis for the Conference USA Championship, scheduled for March 7-10 in FedEx Forum. The winner of the league's annual post season event earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which tips off March 13-14 with First Round play.

Houston Cougars 2011-2012 schedule

Legend

*—Conference USA game

**—A doubleheader scheduled w/ the Cougars women’s basketball team

***—Part of the 76th annual All-College Classic event in Oklahoma City

TV legend

CBSSN: CBS Sports Network

CSS: Comcast Sports Southwest

FSN: Fox Sports Net

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