College basketball report Week 14
The Baylor Bears keep rolling as the LSU Tigers experience their first loss in nearly two months
Feb 11, 2020, 7:06 am
College basketball report Week 14
All for Texas 🤘 https://t.co/X5wg45nOvP— Texas Longhorns (@Texas Longhorns) 1581386483.0
Last week: (0-2): L - Texas Tech 62-57, L - Baylor 52-45
This week: Saturdayvs. Iowa State
Before becoming Baylor's latest victim, the Texas Longhorns dropped a winnable game on Saturday in a 62-57 loss to the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Overall, it was a tale of two halves for the Longhorns as the Red Raiders trailed by as many as 16 points during the first half. After a nearly perfect half, UT allowed the Red Raiders to outscored them 43-26 in the second period, as Texas Tech shot 54.5% from the field, 42.8% from behind the arc.
Up next, the Longhorns will look to end their two-game skid on Saturday in a road game against the Iowa State Cyclones.
📹 R U N I T B A C K | M I Z Z O U: PT 2 #GigEm https://t.co/ZdpLL0f5M4— Texas A&M Basketball (@Texas A&M Basketball) 1581037200.0
Last week: (1-1): W - Missouri 68-51, L - South Carolina 74-54
This week: Wednesdayvs. Florida, Saturday vs. Georgia
The roller-coaster season continued for the Texas A&M Aggies. They started the week taking a 68-51 victory over Missouri, in a game in which four players scored in double-figure with Josh Nebo led the way with 18 points, six rebounds and two blocks in the win. It was a night the Tigers struggled offensively with Xavier Pinson leading the way with nine points.
Following the win, the Aggies suffered one of their worst defeats in conference play in a 20-point loss at the hands of the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Up next, the Aggies will return to the court on Wednesday to take on the Florida Gators.
Houston #cougars up big at the half leading 38-18 over the Wichita State #Shockers. Quentin Grimes leading the way… https://t.co/cEwuBC1pbh— Coty Davis (@Coty Davis) 1581281728.0
Last week: (2-0): W - Tulane 75-62, W - Wichita State 76-43
This week: Wednesdayvs. USF, Saturday vs. SMU
After a disappointing loss to Cincinnati which ended their five-game win streak, the Houston Cougars bounced back with back-to-back wins against the Tulane Green Waves and Wichita State Shockers.
As they look to stay atop the American Athletic Conference, the Cougars will hit the road for a showdown against the South Florida Bulls on Wednesday before taking on the SMU Mustangs on Saturday in Dallas.
OWLS WIN! Rice holds off Middle Tennessee to earn the 91-83 victory! #GoOwls👐 x #TheRiceWay https://t.co/mtzxI9u1fh— Rice Basketball (@Rice Basketball) 1581210193.0
Last week: (2-0): W- UAB 86-72, W - Middle Tennessee 91-83
This week: Thursdayvs. Old Dominion, Saturday vs. Charlotte 49ers
Currently, in the midst of riding their longest winning streak of conference play, the Rice Owl extended their win streak to three picking up victories against UAB and Middle Tennessee.
In a win against the Blue Raiders, the Owls went 12-of-12 from the free-throw line in the closing minutes as Rice held off Middle Tennessee, 91-83. In addition to picking up their fourth win of conference play, Rice earned its first-ever win in Murfreesboro, Saturday inside the Murphy Center.
Up next, the Owls will return home to take on Old Dominion in Houston.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW That's 2⃣1⃣ straight wins for the No. 1 team in the country!! #SicEm 🐻 | #1TGF 🏀 https://t.co/QeniJbUah6— Baylor Basketball (@Baylor Basketball) 1581394318.0
Last week: (2-0): W - Oklahoma State 78-70, W - Texas 52-45
This week: Saturday vs. West Virginia
The Baylor Bears survived a hard-fought battle against Oklahoma State on Saturday, as the ball club came away with an eight-point victory. As one of five players to score in double-figures, sophomore guard MaCio Teague recorded four made 3-point field goals to score 24 points and seven rebounds to lead the way for the Bears.
As the nation's top-ranked school, Baylor will put their 21 game winning streak on the line on Saturday, in a home Big-12 showdown against West Virginia inside the Ferrell Center in Waco.
FINAL: No. 3 Kansas 60 - TCU 46 https://t.co/DTPqflNZOc— TCU Basketball (@TCU Basketball) 1581188165.0
Last week: (0-3): L - Oklahoma State 72-57, L - Kansas 60-46, L - Texas Tech 88-42
This week: Saturday vs. Kansas State
By far their worst week of the season, the TCU Horned Frogs lost by an average margin of 25 points with their worst coming in an 88-42 loss to the Texas Tech Red Raiders. In an attempt to end their six-game losing streak, the Horned Frogs will return to the court on Saturday to take Kansas State inside the Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth.
Our largest margin of victory in a Big 12 game. Ever. Enjoy. 😎 🔴#4To1 | #WreckEm⚫️ https://t.co/wEfXKvZiXT— Texas Tech Basketball (@Texas Tech Basketball) 1581397047.0
Last week: (3-0): W - Oklahoma 69-61, W - Texas 62-57, W - TCU 88-42
This week: Saturday vs. Oklahoma State
Before handing the TCU Horned Frogs a 46 point defeat, the Texas Tech Red Raiders won two close back-to-back games against Oklahoma and Texas this past week.
Their best win came in a 62-57 victory over the Longhorns, in a game in which the Red Raiders fought back from 16 points down to take the dub. Freshman guard Jahmi'us Ramsey led the way with 18 points (6-7 FG, 2-2) and two steals in the win.
Following a near-perfect week, Texas Tech will look to make it four straight wins in a road game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday.
They know I’m giving it my all regardless of the outcome ❤️ https://t.co/OibEr4xGc2— Kendric Davis (@Kendric Davis) 1581044313.0
Last week: (1-0): L - Temple 97-90
This week: Wednesday vs. Connecticut, Saturday vs. Houston
With one game on the schedule, the SMU Mustangs dropped a heartbreak loss to the Temple Owls on Saturday.
After leading 48-31 at the half, the Mustangs had no answer for the Owls in the second half and overtime, as Temple outscored SMU 66-42 to take the comeback victory. Temple's Quinton Ross scored a game-high 25 points, as the senior guard registered 10 during the extra period.
Up next, the Mustangs will take on Connecticut on Wednesday before going to war in an in-state battle against Houston on Saturday.
Focus in‼️ Two big games this week. #BootUp 🐯 https://t.co/m5o4QpKE6O— LSU Basketball (@LSU Basketball) 1581348406.0
Last week: (0-2): L - Vanderbilt 99-90, L - Auburn 91-90
This week: Tuesday vs. Missouri, Saturday vs. Alabama
The LSU Tigers' 10 game winning streak came to an end on Wednesday after dropping a nine-point defeat to the Vanderbilt Commodores. While Trendon Watford led the way with 26 points (8-13, 9-10 FT), the freshman forward from Birmingham would be outplayed by Vanderbilt's Saben Lee, who recorded 33 points (13-20 FG), six assists, and four rebounds in the win.
After an overtime loss to Alabama, the Tigers will look to keep their place atop of the SEC in a home match against the Missouri Tigers on Tuesday.
Despite a last-minute comeback attempt by Gonzaga on Saturday, the Cougars defeated the Bulldogs and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the sixth straight NCAA Tournament.
Houston will face the No.4 seed Purdue, who made it to the championship game last year.
The Boilermakers will be one of the toughest opponents the Cougars have faced thus far and will essentially have the home-court advantage with the game taking place in Indianapolis.
Despite the daunting matchup on paper, Houston is currently an -8.5 favorite to win this game. The Cougars should be able to handle Purdue so long as their offense stays hot and they continue to play defense at an elite level.
Keep the offense flowing
Houston guard LJ Cryer matched a career-high with 30 points against Gonzaga and has been the offensive focal point of this team.
This season, the Baylor transfer has averaged 15.6 points per game and has stepped up to be one of the unquestioned leaders of this team.
In addition to Cryer, the Cougars have Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp, who can carry the offensive load as they did during the Big 12 Tournament and against SIUE on Thursday.
J’Wan Roberts is another key factor for Houston’s success. The senior forward seems to have recovered from his ankle injury and has been a productive player since returning to the lineup.
Roberts leads the team in rebounds and is one of the most efficient scorers for the Cougars, averaging more than 50% from the field over his last five seasons.
Houston’s dynamic offense and elite defense makes this team one of the toughest to beat during the tournament.
Containing Purdue’s stars
The Boilermakers have two proficient scorers on their team, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Braden Smith, who each average over 15 points per game.
Kaufman-Renn scored 22 points in his previous game against McNeese State and has been one of Purdue’s best players for most of this year.
Roberts and Joseph Tuggler will likely be assigned to the junior forward to slow down his offense, forcing his teammates to step up.
Smith is Purdue’s second-leading scorer, averaging 16 points per game, and has the most assists and steals for the Boilermakers this season.
Both Uzan and Cyrer, who have been elite parameter defenders, will cover the Purdue guard and limit his production.
Containing both Kaufman-Renn and Smith will be Houston’s top priority and the key to come away victorious.
Play Cougar basketball
Head coach Kelvin Sampson has now made it to at least the Sweet 16 six consecutive times and has his team well-positioned to make another deep tournament run.
Since arriving in Houston, the 69-year-old coach has turned this program from an afterthought to one of the best basketball teams in the country year after year.
Sampson’s key to his success is instilling a defensive-first mentality into his team and getting the best effort out of his players.
This season is no different, as Houston has the number-one ranked defense in the nation and is holding their opponents to 58.4 points per game on average.
If the Cougars can create consistent offense and continue playing defense at an elite level, they should win this game with ease and advance to the Elite 8 for the first time in three years.
The Houston-Purdue game will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday at 9 pm. The winner will play either Kentucky or Tennessee in the next round.