The No. 3 Houston Cougars (11-1), the NCAA’s top scoring defense, play host to the McNeese State Cowboys (3-9, 1-0 Southland) on Wednesday. McNeese State was dismantled by the Southern Miss Golden Eagles 86-67 at Reed Green Coliseum on Sunday, their third loss in a row.
Zach Scott was a top performer in defeat with 21 points. Houston found victory on Saturday at John Paul Jones Arena, beating the Virginia Cavaliers 69-61. Jarace Walker had 17 points and seven rebounds, leading the team.
The Cougars came out on top in the last meeting between the teams 81-53 at Health & PE Center in November 2017.Trae English and Christian Shumate, averaging 12.3 and 10.8 points per game, respectively, have led the Cowboys in scoring this season.
Shumate also has grabbed 10.0 rebounds per game, while English has dished 2.9 assists per game. Marcus Sasser has been the primary provider for the Cougars on offense, averaging 15.9 points per game. J’Wan Roberts is posting 7.1 rebounds per game, and Jamal Shead is tallying 5.6 assists.
The Cougars are holding opponents to 50.3 points per game, ranking as the toughest scoring defense in the NCAA.In the last 10 games, McNeese State is 2-8 with an average margin of -15.7 (60.7-76.4). Houston has gone 9-1 over the last 10, scoring 71.8 points per game on average while holding opponents to 51.3 (+20.5 margin).
COWBOYS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Malachi Rhodes: 4.0 | 10.2 | -6.2
Points per game:
Johnathan Massie: 5.4 | 8.4 | -3.0
Rebounds per game:
Malachi Rhodes: 0.5 | 4.2 | -3.7
Assists per game:
Johnathan Massie: 0.6 | 1.8 | -1.1
COUGARS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Reggie Chaney: 10.8 | 7.2 | +3.6
Terrance Arceneaux: 4.8 | 9.1 | -4.3
SportsTips’ College Basketball Pick:
Houston -35.5 (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
