San Diego State vs Houston 3/15/18 - CBB Picks & Predictions

The 11th seeded San Diego State Aztecs (22-10) will play the 6th seeded Houston Cougars (26-7) on Thursday March 15 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament’s West Regional. San Diego State reached the tournament thanks to winning the Mountain West Conference tournament with an 82-75 victory over the New Mexico Lobos. Troy Kell led the Aztecs in that win with 28 points. Malik Pope contributed 16 points and five rebounds.

The Cougars lost the American Athletic Championship final to Cincinnati on Sunday 56-55 but were given an at-large bid. Rob Gray was the high scorer for Houston with 17 points, while Corey Davis Jr. added 15. The loss was just the third in the last 15 games for the Cougars. Malik Pope leads the Aztecs in scoring and is the second in rebounding averaging 12.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Jalen McDaniels is the fifth leading scorer and the leading rebounder averaging 10.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Five players average double figures in scoring for San Diego State. As a team, the Aztecs are shooting 46.1% from the field and 33.9% from 3-point territory. During the regular season, San Diego State scored an average of 77.5 points per game, while allowing an average of 67.9.

Rob Gray leads Houston in scoring and assists, with an average of 18.6 points and 4.6 assists per game. Devin Davis is third in scoring and the top rebounder averaging 10.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. As a team, the Cougars are shooting 46.9% from the field and 38.9% from 3-point territory. During the regular season, Houston scored an average of 78.1 points per game, while allowing an average of 65.2.