Houston Cougars vs Troy Trojans Picks and Predictions December 10th 2024

No. 15 Houston Refocuses for Troy After Commanding Victory

No. 15 Houston returns to action on Tuesday as they host Troy, following an impressive 79-51 win over Butler that showcased the Cougars’ trademark defensive dominance and rebounding prowess. With the victory, Houston extended its homecourt winning streak to 26 games, the longest active streak in the nation.

Houston’s Defense and Offense in Harmony

The Cougars (5-3) delivered a balanced performance against Butler, holding the Bulldogs to just 28.3 percent shooting while winning the rebounding battle 41-22. Houston also displayed offensive firepower, shooting an impressive 66.7 percent in the second half and scoring 51 points after the break.

L.J. Cryer led the way with 20 points, 18 of which came in the second half. He was joined by Emanuel Sharp, who matched Cryer’s four 3-pointers, helping to blow the game open. Head coach Kelvin Sampson praised the team’s focus and execution in the second half:
“Just doing it harder, doing it faster, doing it more confidently, having more of a purpose to what we’re doing. I saw a lot of purposeful basketball.”

Despite their 5-3 record, Sampson emphasized that the Cougars are closer to success than the losses might suggest. Two of their defeats came in overtime during the Players Era Festival, where they fell to Alabama and San Diego State by a combined eight points.

Troy’s Efficient Offense

Troy (5-3) bounced back from a surprising loss to Merrimack with an 84-74 victory over Eastern Kentucky. The Trojans posted their best shooting performance against a Division I opponent since January 2022, connecting on 58 percent of their field goals.

Myles Rigsby and Jerrell Bellamy fueled the offense with a combined 38 points on 13-of-18 shooting. Bellamy, in particular, excelled at the free-throw line, converting all eight of his attempts. Cooper Campbell and Tayton Conerway added 10 points apiece, with Campbell perfect from the field, including two 3-pointers.

Head coach Scott Cross praised his team’s ability to adjust quickly and deliver a team-wide effort:
“It was a great all-around win for the guys. (Eastern Kentucky) pressures for 40 minutes, but our guys did a great job. It was an all-around great team performance for us.”

Check out the latest John Wooden Award Odds & Predictions for detailed analysis and updates.

Keys to the Game

Houston’s focus will remain on pairing their high-effort defense and rebounding with efficient offensive execution. The second-half surge against Butler exemplified how effective the Cougars can be when discipline and purpose align.

Troy, meanwhile, will need another efficient offensive outing to challenge Houston on their home floor. The Trojans’ ability to shoot well and handle Houston’s physicality will determine whether they can keep the game competitive.

This matchup pits Houston’s elite defense and rebounding against Troy’s sharp shooting, setting the stage for a compelling contest as both teams seek to build momentum.