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No. 6 Houston, San Diego State Out to Leave Vegas With Win
High-Stakes Third-Place Clash
No. 6 Houston and San Diego State meet in the third-place game of the Players Era Festival on Saturday in Las Vegas, with both programs looking to finish the event on a positive note. The financial stakes are notable, with $150,000 in NIL money awarded to the third-place team and $100,000 to the fourth-place finisher.
The NIL Impact
The Players Era Festival, which awards $1 million in NIL money to each participating team, represents a groundbreaking opportunity for programs like San Diego State. Head coach Brian Dutcher emphasized the importance of the event for maintaining competitiveness, both on and off the court.
“The Mesa Foundation has done an incredible job helping us win NIL,” Dutcher said. “Not only on the court, but in the NIL world, we have to remain competitive.”
Houston’s Rollercoaster Run
Houston (4-2) enters the third-place game after splitting its first two matchups in Las Vegas. The Cougars fell to No. 9 Alabama in an 85-80 overtime thriller before bouncing back to defeat Notre Dame 65-54. Despite the losses to Alabama and Auburn earlier in the season, head coach Kelvin Sampson remains optimistic about his team’s potential.
“We had a chance to win against Auburn and Alabama,” Sampson said. “We just have to keep working to get better.”
The Cougars are led by LJ Cryer, who averages 13.5 points per game. Cryer scored a season-high 30 points against Alabama, showcasing his scoring prowess. Emanuel Sharp adds 13 points per game as Houston’s secondary offensive threat.
San Diego State’s Growth Opportunity
San Diego State (3-2) opened the tournament with a 71-53 win over No. 21 Creighton but faltered in a 78-68 loss to Oregon. Head coach Brian Dutcher viewed the defeat as a learning experience for his team.
“All these experiences are giving us a chance to grow as a team,” Dutcher said. “We battled back but didn’t get over the hump.”
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BJ Davis has been a consistent performer for the Aztecs, averaging 15.6 points per game and leading the team with 18 points in both tournament matchups. San Diego State’s rebounding depth, with four players averaging four-plus rebounds per game, has been a key factor in its competitiveness.
What’s at Stake
Both teams aim to leave Las Vegas with momentum heading into the heart of their seasons. Houston seeks to fine-tune its play after narrow losses to top-tier opponents, while San Diego State faces its third ranked opponent in six games and looks to build on valuable early-season experiences.
The matchup promises a competitive battle between Houston’s dynamic backcourt and San Diego State’s well-rounded lineup, with both programs eager to secure a strong finish at the Players Era Festival.
