UH Students, alumni ready for Cougars to take on Michigan in NCAA Tourney

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Cougars are getting ready to take on Michigan’s Wolverines in a St. Patrick’s Day match in Wichita, Kansas, Saturday night.

At The Den, a campus pub, fans and alumni say the luck of the Irish isn’t necessary to defeat Michigan.

“Go Cougs!” shouted Mo Alexander, a 2017 alumna.

Alexander wore her green limited-edition hat as part of her game day tradition. Her friend, Ruben Vasquez, is a self-proclaimed superfan.

Vasquez even has “U of H” tattooed on one of his arms. The former student wore a giant school flag, draped as a cape, as his good-luck charm.

“I always have my flag if U of H is playing,” he said. “I find that every time we wear the flag we win and when I don’t we lose.”

Both said they are cautiously optimistic the Cougs, who are in the 6th seed of the NCAA Tournament, can defeat the No. 3 seed team. But they said didn't want to jinx the team.

VIDEO: Cougar fans in Kansas excited for 2nd round

“Michigan is a good team but I overall do believe we, if our defense plays well, I do think we have an advantage,” Vasquez said. “It’s definitely room for us to upset.”

The game is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. in Wichita, Kansas.