COLLEGE BASKETBALL REPORT
NCAA hoops: Mixed bag for most teams of interest in Houston; TCU has big week
Feb 26, 2018, 5:01 pm
TCU was the only team in the report to go 2-0 last week. TCU/Facebook
TEXAS LONGHORNS (17-12, 7-9 BIG XII)
Last week (1-1): L-@ Kansas State 58-48, W-Oklahoma State 65-64
This week: Monday @ Kansas, Saturday vs. West Virginia
Texas really could have used a sweep this week. Kansas State decided that didn’t work for them. Texas fell 58-48 to Kansas State on Wednesday. The game was tied at half, but the Wildcats pulled away in the 2nd frame. Texas, who has shot poorly all season, was absolutely awful again. The Horns shot 29% from the field and 11% from 3-point range. Matt Coleman led the Horns with 14 points in the loss. Texas edged out Oklahoma State on Saturday, 65-64. The Horns were shorthanded, as Mohamed Bamba sat out the second half after aggravating a toe injury, and Eric Davis was sidelined while Texas looks into allegations that he took money from a sports agency. Dylan Osetkowski led the Horns with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Texas finds themselves firmly on the bubble for the NCAA tournament, as they look to avoid missing it for the second straight year. A win at Kansas on Monday almost surely puts them in, but they have lost eight straight to the Jayhawks. Texas wraps up its regular season on Saturday with a home game against West Virginia.
TEXAS A&M AGGIES (18-11, 7-9 SEC)
Last week (1-1): L-Mississippi State 93-81, W-@ Vanderbilt 89-81
This week: Wednesday @ Georgia, Saturday vs. Alabama
The Aggies split this week, losing their home game and winning on the road. First, they fell 93-81 to Mississippi State in a game that they were dominated in. Mississippi State outscored them 19-5 in points off turnovers, 23-6 in bench points, and out rebounded the Ags 44-31. Free throws also were a struggle for Texas A&M, as they shot only 57% from the line. Tyler Davis was a bright spot for the Aggies, posting 25 points and 11 boards in the loss. Davis was strong again in the Aggies 89-81 win over Vanderbilt, putting up 22 points and 9 rebounds in Nashville. The Aggies had a 24-point lead in the second half, but had to fight off a Commodore run late to hold onto the win. The Aggies were bolstered by a strong 3-point shooting night, shooting 53% from deep on 8-15 shots. The Aggies are likely in the tournament at this point, but finishing out with wins over Georgia and Alabama this week would lock their spot up.
HOUSTON COUGARS (22-6, 12-4 AAC)
Last week (1-1): L-@ Memphis 91-85, W-East Carolina 109-58
This week: Wednesday @ SMU, Sunday vs. UConn
The Cougars were coming off their best week of the season, and stepped right into a trap, falling 91-85 to Memphis. Houston was up at halftime, but shot horribly in the second half (32%) in the loss. The defense also let them down, as Memphis’ 91 points was the most allowed by the Coogs this season. Rob Gray had 30 points and 7 assists in the loss. It was a frustrating night for the Cougars, who had just crawled into the top 25 for the first time all season. They took that frustration out on East Carolina, decimating the Pirates 109-58. The halftime score was 62-13, as the Cougars shot 12-16 from deep in the first half. Armani Brooks paced the Cougars with 21 points in only 18 minutes on the floor. Rob Gray added 19 points and 11 assists in the win. The Coogs close out the regular season with SMU and UConn this week.
RICE OWLS (6-23, 3-13 CUSA)
Last week (1-1): W-@ Florida Atlantic 79-76 OT, L-@ Florida International 67-64
This week: Thursday vs. UTEP, Saturday vs. UTSA
The Owls showed a little fight this week, winning their first game and almost winning the second. Rice beat Florida Atlantic 79-76 in overtime, in one of the wildest games of the season. Rice blew a 13-point halftime lead, capped by an FAU 3-pointer with 3 seconds left on the clock to force overtime. FAU hit two free throws with two seconds left to tie the game, and it appeared to be headed toward double OT. Ako Adams hit a 3 at the buzzer though, and Rice came away with the win. Najja Hunter led the Owls with 23 points. The Owls came up just short of winning back-to-back games for the first time this season, falling 67-64 to FIU. The Owls shot only 32% from the field and 26% from 3 in the loss. Malik Osborne led Rice with 20. The Owls wrap up their season with home games against UTEP and UTSA this week.
BAYLOR BEARS (17-12, 7-9 BIG XII)
Last week (0-2): L-West Virginia 71-60, L-@ TCU 82-72
This week: Tuesday vs. Oklahoma, Saturday @ Kansas State
Ouch. Baylor had scratched and clawed their way back into the tournament picture, and now seem like a long shot again. The Bears fell twice this week, starting with a 71-60 loss to West Virginia. The story of the game was Baylor’s first half, where they put up only 18 points. After making their first shot of the game, Baylor made one of their next 15 shots from the field. Jo Lual-Acuil led the Bears with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Things didn’t get better against TCU, as the Bears fell 82-72 in Fort Worth. The Bears had little answers defensively for TCU, as the Frogs shot 54% for the game. Acuil again led the team with 22 points in the loss. The Bears will look to pick up wins against Oklahoma and Kansas State this week before heading into the Big XII tournament.
TCU HORNED FROGS (20-9, 8-8 BIG XII)
Last week (2-0): W-@ Iowa State 89-83, W-Baylor 82-72
This week: Tuesday vs. Kansas State, Saturday @ Texas Tech
TCU has solidified its tournament resume with two more wins last week. First, the Frogs got a road win over Iowa State 89-83. TCU fell behind early, but eventually overwhelmed the Cyclones, who only dressed seven players for the game. The Frogs shot the lights out, hitting 58% from the field. They were led by Desmond Bane’s 27 points, but four starters were in double digits. Alex Robinson led the way for TCU against Baylor in an 82-72 win. The TCU point guard had 22 points, including 16 after halftime in the win. The hot shooting continued, as the team went 54% from the field in the Baylor game. TCU closes out the regular season with Kansas State and Texas Tech this week.
TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS (22-7, 10-6 BIG XII)
Last week (0-2): L-@ Oklahoma State 79-71, L-Kansas 74-72
This week: Monday @ West Virginia, Saturday vs. TCU
It’s hard to tell if Texas Tech is out of steam, but they are definitely sputtering toward the finish line. They started the week with a head scratching loss to Oklahoma State, 79-71. Tech, which has been leaning on its defense all season, struggled to get stops against the Cowboys. Oklahoma State hit 11 of 22 3-point attempts in the game. Keenan Evans struggled mightily on the offensive end, scoring just 2 points on 1-of-7 shooting. Zhaire Smith led the Raiders with 18 points. Then the Red Raiders fell 74-72 to Kansas, in a game that clinched the 14th straight regular season conference title for the Jayhawks. The Jayhawks shot 50% from the field for the game. Evans was miserable again, scoring six points on 1-of-6 shooting. Smith again carried the load with 20 points. The Red Raiders wrap up the season with West Virginia and TCU this week.
SMU MUSTANGS (16-13, 6-10 AAC)
Last week (1-1): W-@ East Carolina 77-58, L-Wichita State 84-78
This week: Wednesday vs. Houston, Sunday @ South Florida
SMU got a split this week, which is a welcome sight after a five-game losing streak. They took a win over East Carolina 77-58. The Mustangs shot the ball well, hitting 11-21 from 3-point range. All five Mustang starters were in double digit, led by Jahmal McMurray’s 20. Shake Milton’s absence was felt more against Wichita State, and the Ponies lost 84-78. The Shockers dominated the rebounding department, 41-23. SMU was able to keep it close by hitting 15 3’s, but could never overtake the Shockers. McMurray hit 6 of those 3’s as part of his 28 point night. SMU closes out AAC play with Houston and South Florida this week.
LSU TIGERS (16-12, 7-9 SEC)
Last week (1-1): W-Vanderbilt 88-78, L-@ Georgia 93-82
This week: Wednesday @ South Carolina, Saturday vs. Mississippi State
LSU went 1-1 this week, and while they probably aren’t headed to the tournament, they have to feel good about Will Wade’s first year as the Tiger head coach. Tremont Waters led the way against Vanderbilt, as LSU took an 88-78 win. Waters had 28 points and 9 assists. The Tigers as a team shot 63% from the field. LSU’s road struggles continued against Georgia, 93-82. It was their sixth straight SEC road loss. Waters was great again, scoring 25 in the loss. Skylar Mays added 20. LSU closes out the season with a road game at South Carolina and a home game against Mississippi State.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
NFL insiders hint at eye-opening future for Houston Texans offense
Dec 7, 2024, 2:38 pm
C.J. Stroud faced criticism in Houston's last few games as the Texans hit a rough patch after losing just two of their first eight games.
But the second-year quarterback remained confident and his strong performance last Sunday helped the Texans (8-5) to a 23-20 win over the Jaguars to enter their bye with a two-game lead atop the AFC South.
“When he is leading and playing the way he is playing, our entire team feeds off of him,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I am excited for his second year. I think he is showing a ton of growth, he is in a really great spot for us physically, mentally. I really love where he is and I am excited to see how he comes back after the break.”
Stroud threw for 242 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville to leave him ranked fourth in the NFL with 3,117 yards passing this season. That game came after he threw two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Tennessee a week before for the team’s third loss in four games.
Those two interceptions brought his season total to nine, which are four more than he threw in 15 games a rookie. But the Texans aren’t worried about that statistic and believe he has grown in his second year.
“He’s made a lot of progress,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “There are some plays, like all of our players, that we probably wish he could have back, but happy he’s our quarterback, happy with what he brings to the table. ... Wouldn’t want anyone else leading this team.”
The Texans are in position to win their division for a second straight season despite dealing with several significant injuries on offense. Running back Joe Mixon missed three games early with an ankle injury and leading receiver Nico Collins was sidelined for five games with a hamstring injury.
They also lost four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs for the season when tore an ACL in Week 8.
Mixon leads the team with 887 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns and has added four touchdown receptions. His work in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati has helped the team deal with those significant injuries to the receiving corps.
Mixon ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game and has had at least 100 yards rushing in seven games.
Stroud has continually raved about Mixon’s contributions on and off the field.
“He’s a servant, a helper,” Stroud said. “That’s ultimately what I want to be as well. Who can I serve and how can I help? That’s ultimately what the game of football is.”
While Mixon has been the team’s most important new acquisition on offense, Danielle Hunter has been Houston’s new defensive star. The defensive end spent his first eight seasons in Minnesota before joining the Texans this year.
He has helped Houston lead the NFL with 84 tackles for loss after piling up 15 this season, which is tied for third most in the league. He also leads the Texans with 10½ sacks to help them rank second with 42.
Hunter been a great addition to a team that already had defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson ranks second to Hunter on the team with 13 tackles for loss and 9½ sacks.
Ryans said this week’s break is much needed for a team that opened the preseason on Aug. 1 in the Hall of Fame game.
“It’s here and we’re going to take advantage of it,” he said. “We’ve been going at it for a long time.”
The Texans need to recharge this week with a brutal stretch of three games in 10 days when they return from their bye. Houston hosts Miami on Dec. 15 before a trip to Kansas City on Dec. 21 and a visit from the Ravens on Christmas Day.
“It’s Christmas and all that, but we can’t worry about that. All we can do is focus on Miami,” Caserio said. “And then when we get through the Miami game, then we kind of turn the page to the next. ... We’re either going to earn it or we’re not. Not to oversimplify it, but that’s the truth.”
The Texans will play those game without starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after he received a three-game suspension for his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return for Houston’s regular-season finale against Tennessee.