By Nathan Keil | Sports Editor

Baylor Nation is going to get an earlier look at the men’s basketball team than expected.

Baylor announced Tuesday night that the Bears will host the University of Houston at the Ferrell Center on Saturday in an additional exhibition game in order to raise money for Hurricane Harvey relief.

According to a press release, Baylor and Houston received an NCAA waiver to play the additional exhibition game. The game will be a standard 40-minute game, but, some rules will be modified to fit exhibition mode.

Baylor head coach Scott Drew, who is entering his 15th year with the Bears, said homecoming is a great occasion to have an opportunity to welcome members of the Baylor family and to do so for such a worthy cause in Hurricane Harvey relief.

“This is an incredible opportunity to use the game of basketball to provide relief for our neighbors in need,” Drew said in the release. “We’re thankful to be able to play this game on Homecoming weekend with so many members of the Baylor Family back home, and we encourage everyone to pack the Ferrell Center to raise as much money as possible in support of the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.”

Tickets can be bought online for $5 or at the Baylor Athletics Ticket Office inside the Ferrell Center on Saturday. Students can purchase discounted tickets for $1 at the door with the use of a valid student ID.

Parking is free at the Ferrell Center, with doors opening at 11:30 a.m and tipoff coming at noon. However, the parking lot must be clear by 3 p.m. to accommodate football traffic.

Baylor returns six key contributors, including seniors guard Manu Lecomte and forward Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. from the 2017 team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen.

The University of Houston finished 21-11 overall and hosted Akron in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament.

Baylor will open its regular season at noon Nov. 10 against Central Arkansas.