GAMETHREAD: Men’s Basketball vs. Houston, 8pm, SEC Network

The Tigers won their first few games against lowly competition, traveled early in the season as part of a small tournament, and returned home humbled and with a blemished record. Awaiting them soon after are the Houston Cougars. Tell me if that sounds familiar.

Last December, LSU traveled to Houston on a Sunday afternoon, and couldn’t come away with a victory, falling to the Cougars 105-98 in overtime. That was the fourth loss in LSU’s five previous games. This year, it’s Houston making the trip to Baton Rouge, and the Tigers are trying to avoid a similar situation. Only problem is, Houston looks pretty good, boasting a perfect 5-0 record. Granted the five wins are all against lesser competition, and include a one point last second victory over Vermont.

Guard Rob Gray Jr. leads the Cougars with 18.8 PPG, and Devin Davis, who scored that winning layup against Vermont, leads the team with 9.0 RPG. Houston is shooting 51.4% from the field, 45.7% behind the arc, and 73.1% at the free throw line.

Houston Cougars Projected Starting 5

F - #0 Danrad Knowles (Sr): 12.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG

F - # 15 Devin Davis (Jr): 12.6 PPG, 9.0 RPG

G - #21 Damyean Dotson (Sr): 13.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG

G - #32 Rob Gray Jr. (Jr): 18.8 PPG, 3.6 APG

G - #25 Galen Robinson Jr. (So): 4.2 PPG, 6.6 APG

LSU Tigers Projected Starting 5

F - #1 Duop Reath (Jr): 15.0 PPG, 6.2 RPG

F - #21 Aaron Epps (Jr): 8.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG

G - #0 Brandon Sampson (So): 11.0 PPG, 2.3 RPG

G - #2 Antonio Blakeney (So): 14.3 PPG, 1.5 APG

G - #11 Jalyn Patterson (Jr): 3.3 APG, 1.8 SPG

This contest is on REAL, LIVE, NATIONAL TELEVISION via the SEC Network, and therefore also available online on WatchESPN if that’s your thing. Follow along and join the discussion in the comments below, or follow me on Twitter @marq113 for live tweets on what should be an...interesting game. Watch it now, because it won’t be back until two weeks from tonight!