ESPN's College GameDay Heads to Fertitta Center for First Time

UPDATED: February 26, 2019 -- 3:25 p.m. CST

POSTED: February 23, 2019 -- 11:57 a.m. CST

College GameDay Covered by State Farm will head to Texas for its very first appearance for University of Houston men's basketball on Saturday, March 2. The traveling pregame college basketball show hosted by Rece Davis with analysts Jay Bilas, Seth Greenberg and Jay Williams, will originate from Fertitta Center, beginning at 10 a.m. Central Time, on ESPN.

The show precedes the American Athletic Conference matchup between No. 9 Houston and UCF (3 p.m., ESPN). Davis and Bilas will join Maria Taylor to call the game.

This is the first time either Houston or UCF have been part of a game that GameDay has originated from. Houston boasts the best record in the country at 25-1, and the Cougars have won 32 straight home games – the longest active streak in the country.

Houston fans are invited to attend the show for FREE with FREE parking available. Doors open for University of Houston students at 8:30 a.m., March 2, with doors for non-UH students opening at 9 a.m.

Tickets are not needed to attend ESPN College GameDay Covered by State Farm! All seating within the arena will be first-come, first-serve with the first 600 students having access to sideline club seating immediately behind the ESPN set.

Following the conclusion of the show, fans will be asked to clear the Fertitta Center in preparation for Houston's 3 p.m. showdown vs. UCF. The Fertitta Center doors will reopen for ticket holders for the Houston-UCF game at 1:30 p.m. Tickets for the game are sold out.

Student Entrance

UH students with a current UH student ID will lineup at the Fertitta Center Club entrance on the Holman Street side of the arena. Doors will open for students at 8:30 a.m. with the first 600 students in line entering the arena through the Fertitta Center Club entrance and having access to sideline club seating immediately behind the ESPN set.

After the first 600 have entered, students will then enter the Holman Street entrance and fill in sections 101-105 before seating is then opened to the lower bowl.

Students are encouraged to get in line early for a chance to compete in the State Farm half-court shot and a chance to win $19,000 courtesy of State Farm.

Students must have a current ID to qualify for student entrance and seating.

Non-Student Entrance

Entry to the Fertitta Center for non-UH students will begin at 9 a.m. through the Holman Street entrance and seating will be first-come, first-serve.

ESPN Rules & Regulations for Signs

• No offensive, vulgar, inappropriate or solicitation signage will be allowed
• No political or .com, .org, .net signage
• No signs or flags on a stick
• No dry erase boards

Friday Welcome Party

Students and fans are encouraged to join the Spirit of Houston on Friday at 11:30 a.m. to help officially welcome ESPN College GameDay Covered by State Farm with the arrival of the shows iconic motor coach on Holman Street.

All fans entering the Fertitta Center should note the facility's clear-bag policy.

The following items are allowed inside Fertitta Center events:

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches
• 1-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc or similar)
• A small clutch purse no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches, with or without a handle or strap (These small clutches remain subject to search)

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