HOUSTON – After nearly a full day of travel, the University of Houston Men’s Basketball program arrived in Sydney on Sunday morning (Australia)/Saturday afternoon (Houston).
Arriving in Sydney after a 15-hour flight from San Francisco, the Cougars went through customs and enjoyed breakfast at the team hotel before practice in the afternoon. Following lunch, Houston enjoyed its first tourist attraction of the trip with a visit to the iconic Sydney Opera House.
The team’s game schedule begins at 4 a.m. (CDT)/7 p.m. (AEST) Monday against the East All-Stars inside the Shore School Gymnasium.
The Cougars will play under FIBA rules with four 10-minute quarters and a 24-second shot clock.
For Houston fans preparing to follow the team on its social media suites, the east coast of Australia is 15 hours ahead of Houston (When it is 1 p.m. (CDT) in Houston, it will be 4 a.m. (AEST) the next day in Australia).
This is the third international tour for the Cougars under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson with previous trips to Italy (2019) and China (2015). However, it will be the program’s first visit to the Southern Hemisphere.
TUNE IN
Fans can watch a livestream of Monday’s game by clicking here beginning at 4 a.m. (CDT)/7 p.m. (AEST) Monday
UP NEXT
Following Monday’s game, the Cougars take on the Australian National Team at 10 a.m. (AEST) Wednesday, Aug. 9/7 p.m. (CDT) Tuesday, Aug. 8, at Cairns State High School in Cairns, Australia.
From there, Houston takes on the Frankston Blues from the NBL1 South at 7 p.m. (AEST)/4 a.m. (CDT), Saturday, Aug. 12, inside Dreamstreet Lending Arena.
The Cougars close their international competition against the Australia Select Team at 6 p.m. (AEST)/3 a.m. (CDT) Sunday, Aug. 13, inside Keilor Basketball Stadium with both of those games in Melbourne.
AUSTRALIAN ATTRACTIONS
In addition to the games, the Cougars will enjoy visits to many Australian attractions on their tour. Prior to Monday’s game, Houston will visit Manly Beach on Aug. 7.
The Cougars also will take an excursion on the beautiful Great Barrier Reef, home of the world’s largest reef system and more than 30 species of whale, dolphin and porpoise and more than 1,500 species of fish on Aug. 10.
On Aug. 11, Houston will enjoy the Melbourne Football Club’s Australian Rules Football game that evening. The Cougars also will visit the Melbourne Zoo on Aug. 13 with a dinner cruise of the Sydney Harbor set for Aug. 14.
COUGARS DOWN UNDER
Schedule is tentative and subject to change
Monday, Aug. 7
Time TBA Visit Manly Beach
7 p.m. AEST / 4 a.m. CDT Game 1 – vs. East All-Stars (Shore School Gymnasium)
Tuesday, Aug. 8
8:10 a.m. AEST Depart Sydney on flight to Cairns
11:25 a.m. AEST Arrive in Cairns
Wednesday, Aug. 9
10 a.m. AEST / 7 p.m. CDT Aug. 8 Game 2 – vs. Australian National Team (Cairns State High School)
Thursday, Aug. 10
Time TBA Great Barrier Reef excursion
Friday, Aug. 11
10:35 a.m. AEST Depart Cairns on flight to Melbourne
2 p.m. AEST Arrive in Melbourne
Time TBA Australian Rules Football Game – Melbourne Football Club
Saturday, Aug. 12
7 p.m. AEST / 4 a.m. CDT Game 3 – vs. Frankston Blues (Dreamstreet Lending Arena)
Sunday, Aug. 13
Time TBA Tour of Melbourne Zoo
6 p.m. AEST / 3 a.m. Game 4 – vs. Australia Select Team (Keilor Basketball Stadium)
Monday, Aug. 14
10 a.m. AEST Leave Melbourne on flight to Sydney
11:25 a.m. AEST Arrive in Sydney
Time TBA Sydney Harbor dinner cruise
Tuesday, Aug. 15
9:30 a.m. AEST Leave Sydney on flight to Los Angeles
6:05 a.m. PT Arrive in Los Angeles
8:15 a.m. PT Leave Los Angeles on flight for Houston
1:30 p.m. Arrive in Houston
BUY 2023-24 TICKETS
The Cougars have sold out of their season ticket allotment inside Fertitta Center for the 2023-24 season.
Information about group and single-game tickets will be available in the near future.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
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Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win as we begin Big 12 competition. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men’s Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans 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.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team’s Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team’s Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
– UHCougars.com –