The non-stars who need to show up for their team to win

Who better ball for Colts and Texans

Colts T.Y. Hilton
www.colts.com

T.Y. Hilton owns the Texans.

You know the big names. Andrew Luck and Deshaun Watson at quarterback. T.Y. Hilton and DeAndre Hopkins catching the ball from them. J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney trying to make Luck run for his life. There's plenty of star power to go around in this game. The stars almost always show up in these games. With the stars performances almost a forgone conclusion we get to the next level of players. These players are non-stars who can turn the tide of the game.

Who better ball for the Colts or Texans to win the game? Let's find out.

Keke Coutee

Now, it is unknown if he is even going to play in this game. The Texans rookie wideout has played very little this season due to a hamstring injury. He is officially questionable and a game-time decision but it would make sense he is playing because if he wasn't the Texans have been wasting a roster spot on him.

He was magnificent in his NFL debut against the Colts earlier this season. It was his first NFL game action period as he missed the preseason with the hamstring injury. He caught 11 passes for 109 yards making clutch plays for Watson and the offense. If healthy and available, he provides an element the Texans don't have and would be tough to scheme for with the limited looks at him.

Dontrelle Inman

The former Canadian Football League pass catcher joined the Colts mid season and while it has taken some time for him to gel with the offense he's shown incredible talent the past two weeks. He's caught 11 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Now while it might not seem like a lot he stepped up when Hilton was ailing and the Texans have struggled to cover anyone on the Colts. Add to the fact they haven't faced Inman yet and he is a player to watch.

Christian Covington

The Texans defensive lineman has had the most success this year against the AFC South. He absolutely mauled the Titans a little over a month ago and he sacked Luck the last time these two teams met. The Colts do a very solid job of neutralizing the Texans edge rushes with their quick passing game and even when they do risk a big drop back they have stymied Watt and Clowney more than a few times. Covington's ability to rush from the middle of the line is invaluable in this game. Especially if Clowney is rushing with him occupying Colts linemen. Covington will have to win solo battles and make plays.

Pierre Desir

He is one of the best stories on the field. A son to Haitian immigrants who played at Division II schools and was called the Division II Richard Sherman spent time as a temp agent to make money for a family he had when he was very young. Drafted by the Browns and bouncing around the NFL until he ended up playing for the Colts. He is maybe the most important player on the Colts defense. He got lit up in the first game between the Texans and the Colts. Last game though, he shadowed Hopkins and the best receiver in the NFL turned in his worst game with just four catches and 36 yards total. If Desir plays that way against Hopkins again, simply, the Colts win.

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The Coogs are back in action on Saturday night. Photo by David Becker/Getty Images.

Wichita, Kansas – Saturday, 8:40 p.m. EDT

The No. 1 seed Houston Cougars (31-4) take on the No. 8 Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-8) in a highly anticipated second-round showdown of the NCAA Tournament. The Cougars, dominant in the Big 12 with a 22-1 record, bring the nation’s top-ranked defense to the court, while the Bulldogs, the West Coast Conference powerhouse, counter with one of the most efficient offenses in the country.

Defense vs. offense: The ultimate battle

Houston boasts the best defense in the Big 12, holding opponents to just 57.9 points per game on 38.1% shooting. The Cougars will be tasked with slowing down a Gonzaga squad that averages 84.6 points per game over its last 10 outings and shoots an impressive 50.1% from the field.

On the other side, Houston’s offense is averaging 72.1 points per game in its last 10 contests, a figure that will be tested against a Gonzaga defense allowing 67.6 points per game. The Cougars have a slight edge from beyond the arc, making 8.1 three-pointers per game compared to Gonzaga’s 7.3 allowed.

Key players to watch

For Houston, LJ Cryer has been the go-to scorer, averaging 15.2 points per game, while Milos Uzan has stepped up recently, contributing 14.7 points over the last 10 games. The Cougars will also lean on their defensive intensity and ability to force turnovers to disrupt Gonzaga’s rhythm.

Gonzaga is led by Graham Ike, who is averaging 17 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Khalif Battle has also been a key contributor, posting 15.3 points and 1.6 steals per game in the past 10 contests. The Bulldogs’ ball movement will be crucial, as they average 20.4 assists per game in their last 10 contests, a stark contrast to Houston’s 9.0.

Game outlook

Houston enters as a 5.5-point favorite, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, with the over/under set at 140.5 points. If the Cougars can impose their defensive will and limit Gonzaga’s transition game, they stand a strong chance of advancing. However, if the Bulldogs find their offensive groove early, Houston may be in for its toughest test of the tournament so far.

Expect an intense, physical battle where the team that dictates the tempo will likely punch its ticket to the Sweet 16.

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