AboutPreseason top-15 programs Houston and Arkansas will meet at the Never Forget Tribute Classic, a crucial non-conference showdown on Saturday, December 20 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
This will be the eighth edition of the Never Forget Tribute Classic, which is hosted by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE). The event has supported various 9/11-related charities and will do so once again in 2025. The recipient of support from this year’s game will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
Houston is poised to enter the 2025-26 season as one of the elite programs in the country, returning three starters – Emanuel Sharp, Joseph Tugler and Milos Uzan – that helped the Cougars reach the national championship game this past April. Houston will also welcome the nation’s No. 3 ranked recruiting class, according to 247Sports, that includes top-20 prospects Chris Cenac Jr. (No. 7), Isiah Harwell (No. 16) and Kingston Flemings (No. 20). In 11 seasons with the program, head coach Kelvin Sampson has led the program to a 299-84 record, six conference championships, seven NCAA Tournament appearances at two Final four berths (2021, 2025).
Following a run to the Sweet 16 in the 2025 NCAA Tournament that saw it knock off Kansas and St. John’s, Arkansas and second-year head coach John Calipari return four significant contributors from last year’s program in Trevon Brazile, Karter Knox, Billy Richmond and DJ Wagner. The Razorbacks will bring in the No. 5 ranked recruiting class in the country, according to 247Sports, led by five-star and top-15 standouts Darius Acuff Jr. (No. 5) and Maleek Thomas (No. 13), in addition to four-star standout Isaiah Sealy, who is the top-rated recruit in the state of Arkansas.
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Starts 12:00 PM
Start your special evening at Prudential Lounge, located at 165 Mulberry St! This newly renovated lounge is the perfect spot to grab a drink before the show begins. Lounge Opens At 6:30pm
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