College Basketball Report: Week 12

The Baylor Bears and Houston Cougars look to continue their winning ways as Texas and A&M struggle

The Baylor Bears and Houston Cougars look to continue their winning ways as Texas and A&M struggle
Getty Images

TEXAS LONGHORNS (12-7), (2-4)

Last week: (0-1): L - LSU 69-67

This week: Wednesday vs TCU,Saturdayvs. Iowa State

Even in a non-conference game, the Texas Longhorns have yet to get out of their slump. During their Big 12 vs SEC Conference showdown on Saturday, Texas dropped its third consecutive game in a two-point defeat to the streaking LSU Tigers.

In the loss, the Longhorns allowed LSU to record 15 offensive rebounds, in which the Tigers converted into 15 second-chance points. Following the win, Texas will look to end their losing skid in an interstate showdown against the TCU Horned Frogs.

TEXAS A&M AGGIES (9-9), (3-3)

Last week: (1-1): W - Mizzou 66-64, L - Oklahoma State 73-62

This week: Tuesdayvs. Tennessee, Saturday vs. Georgia

The Texas A&M Aggies survived a recording-breaking night en route to a 66-64 victory over the Mizzou Tigers. in the loss, Mizzou hit a record 54 consecutive free throws—dating back to their loss against Alabama last season.

As Mizzou shot perfect from the line until their final attempt in the closing minutes of the games, Savion Flagg and Josh Nebo scored a combined 28 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in the win for the Aggies. Unfortunately, A&M would go on to lose their third game in four tries in a loss to the Mizzou Tigers.

Up next, the Aggies will return to the court on Tuesday for a match against Tennessee.

Houston Cougars (16-4), (6-1)

Last week: (2-0): W - UConn 63-59, W- USF 68-48

This week: Wednesday vs. ECU, Saturday vs. Cincinnati

Winners of 10 out of their last 11 games, the Houston Cougars swept through their opponents picking up wins against the UConn Mustangs and the USF.

DeJon Jarreau came two assists shy from recording the Cougars' first triple-double since Bo Outlaw in 1993, as the junior guard from New Orleans scored a season-high 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in the win. Following the victory, the Cougars will hit the road for an American Athletic Conference showdown against ECU (Wednesday) and Cincinnati (Saturday).

RICE OWLS (9-13), (1-8)

Last week: (0-2): L - UTEP 72-64, L- UTSA 90-88

This week: Saturday vs. North Texas

Loser of eight of their last 10 games, the Rice Owls are currently riding a five-game losing streak after a winless week.

The Owls put up a good fight in both games, with their worst coming at the hands of UTSA on Saturday in a two-point defeat. Up next, Rice will look to end their worst skid of the season on Saturday in a CUSA showdown against North Texas.

BAYLOR BEARS (17-1), (6-0)

Last week: (1-0): W - Florida 72-61

This week: Wednesday vs. Iowa State, Saturday TCU

As the No. 1 top-ranked school in the nation, the Baylor Bears took part in the Big 12 vs SEC match in a 72-61 victory over Florida on Saturday.

While extending their winning streak to 16, Macio Teague led the Bears with 16 points, six rebounds and a block. Following the win, the Bears will put their winning streak on the line against Iowa State on Wednesday.

TCU HORNED FROGS (13-6), (4-2)

Last week: (1-1): W - Texas Tech 81-49, L - Arkansas 78-67

This week: Wednesday vs Texas, Saturday vs Baylor

Prior to losing to Arkansas on Saturday, the TCU Horned Frogs picked up a much-needed conference play win in a 65-54 victory over Texas Tech. In the win, Desmond Bane had one of his best performances of the season with 27 points (10-15 FG, 6-8 3PT), while Kevin Samuel recorded a double-double of 11 points and 11 boards.

Up next, TCU will look to return to the court on Wednesday for a showdown against the struggling Texas Longhorns.

TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS (12-7), (3-3)

Last week: (1-1): L - Texas Tech 65-54, L - Kentucky 76-74 OT

This week: Wednesday vs West Virginia, Saturday vs Kansas

After a hot start to the season, the No. 18 Texas Tech Red Raiders are not living up to the high expectations since the start of conference play. Texas Tech's quick two-game win streak came to an end in a 65-54 loss to the TCU Horned Frogs. In the loss, TCU outscored Texas Tech by 15 points (38-23) in the second half, as well as allowing 17 second-chance points off 11 offensive rebounds.

Following an overtime inter-conference loss to Kentucky on Saturday, Texas Tech will hit the court on Wednesday in a home match against No. 12 West Virginia.

SMU MUSTANGS (15-4), (5-2)

Last week (2-0): W - ECU 84-64, W - Memphis 74-70

This week: Tuesday vs Cincinnati, Saturday vs Tulane

After taking care of business in the blowout win over ECU, the SMU Mustangs picked up a huge victory over No. 20 Memphis. It was an all-around team effort led by Kendric Davis who scored a game-high 20 points (5-11 FG, 2-6 3PT) and five assists, while Emmanuel Bandoumel added in 14 points.

Up next, the Mustangs will look to build off their perfect week on Tuesday against one of their conference rivals, the Cincinnati Bearcats in Cincinnati.

LSU TIGERS (15-4), (6-0)

Last week (2-0): W - Florida 84-82, W - Texas 69-67

This week: Wednesday vs Alabama, Saturday vs Ole Miss

The LSU Tigers continued their hot start in conference play and extended their overall winning streak to eight last week.Both games went down to the wire as the Tigers needed a potential game-winner by Florida's Keyontae Johnson waived off with 0.5 left to play. Six players scored in double-digits for LSU with Emmitt Williams leading the Tigers with 19 points.

The Tigers will return home for a SEC match against Florida on Tuesday.

texas reportcollege basketball

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
Who holds the power in Houston? Composite Getty Image.

It should come as no surprise that after a slow start to the season, fans and media are starting to voice concerns about the organization's leadership and direction. The latest evidence of this involved Astros adviser Reggie Jackson and the comments he made on Jon Heyman's podcast, The Show.

Jackson discussed the Astros reported interest in starting pitcher Blake Snell. He said that ultimately, Snell was looking for a deal the Astros weren't comfortable with in terms of money and structure of the contract.

Which is interesting considering the Astros were okay with paying 5-years, $95 million for closer Josh Hader, but not willing to pay Snell 2-years, $62 million. We believe the opt-outs in Snell's contract were a dealbreaker for Houston. And of course the money played a role.

However, the Astros passing on Snell is not the intriguing part of the story. It was Jackson talking about the club's power structure in the front office and how they go about making decisions.

“Being fiscally responsible is what kicked us out of the Snell deal… That's too much for him… Between the 4 or 5 people who make decisions with the Astros, we don't play that game,” said Jackson.

Based on Jackson's comments in the interview, the decision makers are Jim Crane, Dana Brown, Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, and Reggie. But not necessarily in that order. He also mentioned that they had conversations with manager Joe Espada and his staff, plus some input from the analytics department.

These comments add to the concerns we've had about the front office since Crane moved on from GM James Click and operated without a general manager for several months. Which led to the disastrous signing of Jose Abreu and to a lesser extent Rafael Montero.

Which begs the question, are the Astros in a better spot now with their front office? Many blame Dana Brown for the state of the starting rotation. While there were some red flags this spring, anticipating injuries to Jose Urquidy, Justin Verlander, and Framber Valdez is asking a lot.

But only bringing in Hader to replace all the innings left behind by Hector Neris, Phil Maton, Kendall Graveman, and Ryne Stanek always felt risky.

Finally, what can the Astros due in the short-term to weather the storm while Framber and JV rehab from injury?

And is Hunter Brown the biggest liability in the rotation?

Be sure to watch the video above for the full in-depth discussion.

astroshouston astrosmlb

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome