Houston Basketball: 3 keys for the game against LSU

WICHITA, KS - MARCH 17: Head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars talks with the team as they take on the Michigan Wolverines in the second half during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Bank Arena on March 17, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. The Michigan Wolverines won 64-63 with a 3-point buzzer beater. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Houston will have to force tough shots

The first big key for Houston against LSU will be their ability to force the Tigers into tough contested shots on offense. The Tigers score 82 points per game and are 22nd in the country with a 49% field goal percentage. It won’t be easy for the Cougars as five of the nine Tigers that play over 15 minutes are shooting at or above that 49%.

The good thing for Kelvin Sampson’s team is that they are one of the better defensive teams in the country so far this season, the 57.8 points per game they have given up is the 8th best number in the country. In fact, only one team, Rice has scored more than 62 points against Houston, 68 in a 79-68 win for Houston. Also, in that game Rice shot 46% from the field, no other team has eclipsed 40.7% against Houston.

They are 22nd nationally with a 37.8% field goal percentage and are even better at defending the three-point line, allowing teams to shoot just 27.5%, 19th best. If the Cougars can continue those defensive trends, it will give them a leg up in this game in their quest to remain unblemished on the season.