Watch party for Cougars in Sweet 16 for first time in 35 years

HOUSTON (FOX 26) — No matter where you are in the city of Houston, if you sit silently for a few seconds, you can probably hear University of Houston Cougars men's basketball team fans. The NCAA Sweet 16 games begin on Friday night with a major watch party on the UH campus.

For the first time in 35 years, the Cougars have made it to the Sweet 16. The 'Coogs' will take on the University of Kentucky Wildcats with a watch party at 6 p.m. on the floor of the Fertitta Center. 

The game will play on several big screens with thousands of people expected to attend. There will be food served, loads of excitement, a band playing and plenty more.

"We have our cheerleaders, our dancers, prizes," explains Robert Boudwin, assistant athletic director of marketing.

"I’m ready for the 'Coogs,'" shouts UH super fan Deborah Latson, who arrived to the party extra early. "Let’s go.”

"Now we have the best team since Hakeem the Dream and Clyde the Glide played on this surface, before it became Fertitta Center, over 30 years ago,” adds Boudwin.

"It’s going to be a great night," adds UH fan Jesse Brown. "Come on out everybody.”

The beautiful building where the party is being hosted recently had a $60 million makeover. If the 'Coogs' win on Friday, there will be another watch party on Sunday night when UH enters the Elite 8.