Texas A&M-CC Islanders vs. Houston Cougars Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2024

Preview and Prediction

The 15th ranked Houston team will aim to end their nonconference schedule with a fourth consecutive victory as they take on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday.

After a well-rounded performance in their 78-49 win against Toledo, with five Cougars scoring in double digits, Houston looks to continue their winning streak. Terrance Arceneaux, coming off the bench, led the team with 16 points. The Cougars have been dominant in their past three games, defeating Butler by 28 points and Troy by 20 points. However, they did suffer a 73-70 loss to San Diego State in the Players Era Tournament in Las Vegas at the end of November.

Coach Kelvin Sampson expressed his confidence in the team, stating, "We have a good team." He also mentioned the importance of playing again on Saturday rather than having to wait for another 9 or 10 days. Sampson believes that his team needs to find a rhythm and that playing games is crucial for their development.

The Cougars, who only lost five games last season and four in the 2022-23 season, have not lost more than six games in a single campaign since the shortened 2019-20 season due to the pandemic.

Aside from their loss to San Diego State, Houston's other defeats have come against highly ranked opponents, including current No. 6 Alabama and No. 2 Auburn. In their early November game against Auburn, the Cougars allowed 46 points in the second half, resulting in a 74-69 loss.

Leading the team is the backcourt duo of L.J. Cryer and Emmanuel Sharp. Cryer averages 14.6 points per game on 39.8% field goal shooting, while Sharp trails closely behind with 14.4 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game. Milos Uzan is the team's top assist leader, averaging five per game, and J'Wan Roberts is their leading rebounder with 6.7 per game.

On the other hand, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi has a record of 7-5, but three of their wins have come against non-NCAA opponents. One of their wins was against Prairie View A&M, who has yet to win against an NCAA opponent this season.

In their most recent game, the Islanders defeated Southwestern Adventist University, a non-Division I team, by a score of 117-63.

Their only game against a Power Five opponent resulted in a loss, as they fell to then-No. 14 Purdue 90-73 in their season opener.

Purdue coach Matt Painter commented on their performance, stating, "I thought we really struggled to contain them." He also mentioned their struggles in transition and defending the paint.

The Islanders are led by forward Garry Clark, who averages 14.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. In their previous game, Clark matched his season-high of 19 points and has scored in double digits in all 12 games this season. He is the only player on the team averaging double figures in points, with Isaac Williams coming in second with 9.6 points per game.

PREDICTION

Texas A&M-CC Islanders

Houston Cougars

Texas A&M-CC Islanders vs. Houston Cougars Recap DEC 21TH 2024

Emanuel Sharp scored 18 points and LJ Cryer added 17 to lead No. 15 Houston to a blowout victory over Texas A&M Corpus Christi 87-51 at home on Saturday.

Cryer was 5 of 7 from three point-range, while Sharp went 3 of 6 from the field and 9 of 9 from the free-throw line.

Terrance Arceneaux made his first start of the season for Houston, tallying 13 points, five rebounds and three assists. Arceneaux had been a key contributor in the sixth-man role for Houston but got the starting nod after J'wan Thompson was ruled out with a foot injury that occurred in Wednesday's win against Toledo.

The victory marked Houston's 29th straight at home and its 100th in 106 games since their home arena was renovated and reopened in December of 2018.

Houston extended its lead to 37 points at 68-31 with a 14-0 run that was culminated by a mid-range hook shot by Ja'Vier Francis with 11:15 remaining. The Cougars led by as many as 42 points in the second half, with Francis scoring seven of his nine points after halftime.

Houston led 46-27 at halftime, led by 15 points from Sharp and 10 points from Milos Uzan on 4-of-4 shooting. Uzan also had five assists in the first half and finished with 12 points and six assists overall. Houston started the game on an 18-6 run and led wire-to-wire.

Garry Clark led Corpus Christi with 17 points and nine rebounds, shooting 5 of 11 from the field. Clark has reached double figures in all 13 of the Islanders' games this season. Damarion Dennis was the only other Islanders player in double figures, scoring 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting.

Houston shot 49.1 percent from the field overall and 48.3 percent (14 of 29) from 3-point range. Texas A&M Corpus Christ shot 32.1 percent overall and 26.3 percent (5 of 19) from long distance.