The Cougars will be tasked with avenging a bad start to their last new year this Saturday at Hofheinz Pavillion. The UTSA Roadrunners come to town representing the Southland Conference and boasting a tight 83-82 win last New Year's Day. They also come to town with something that Nevada couldn't show earlier this week: a record worth pointing out. At 5-2, the Roadrunners are currently tied for first in the Southland West. Three Roadrunners will be making a homecoming: guard Devin Gibson (Cy-Falls), guard Sei Paye (Strake Jesuit) and guard Kalif Bakare (Alief-Taylor)
This should not be an easy game by any means for the Cougars, who struggled against Nevada and needed overtime to put away Sam Houston State, another Southland foe, on the road. The biggest culprit for the Coogs this year has been simple: turnovers, turnovers, and more turnovers. Kendrick Washington, Zamal Nixon, and ESPECIALLY reserve guard Trumaine Johnson have been very careless with the ball. Houston has also had problems with free throw shooting thus far, with Maurice McNeill, Alandise Harris, and Washington all weighing the Coogs down to hitting just 61.9% of their free throws.
The Pomeroy Ratings predict a final score of Houston 77, UTSA 67. With a 17% chance of the Roadrunners pulling the road upset.