Houston @ South Carolina preview

South Carolina already had a solid roster, but now the team has a new weapon to play with. The Gamecocks welcomed Keyshawn Bryant back to the lineup this week and hope he can help lead them to a win Sunday against visiting Houston.

Bryant underwent knee surgery last month and missed the first eight games of the season before returning Wednesday against Massachusetts. He went 5-of-9 from the field in 22 minutes and finished with 13 points in a solid start to his sophomore season. "He's a hard worker, and he's gonna do what he's gotta do," guard A.J. Lawson told reporters of Bryant. "Today he came and helped us a lot. I'm proud of him." Houston slipped past Texas State 68-60 in its last contest behind 21 points from Kansas transfer Quentin Grimes.

TV: Noon ET, ESPNU

ABOUT HOUSTON (4-2): Grimes led the way against Texas State, but the 6-5 sophomore shot just 6-of-17 from the floor and went 2-of-7 from 3-point range - dropping him 3-of-16 from behind the arc over the last three outings. Grimes (16.8 points) leads the squad in scoring and also boasts a team-high 3.7 assists per game, while his eight made 3-pointers are second on the team behind Marcus Sasser (15-of-35). Fabian White Jr. has registered double-digit points in five of the six games and enters this contest still seeking his first steal of the season (in 155 total minutes).

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (6-3): Lawson was the top scorer for South Carolina against UMass, recording 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting - including a pair of 3-pointers. He didn't get much help, however, as the other starters scored 18 points combined - two of them going scoreless - and nobody else on the team made a 3-pointer. In addition to Bryant's solid outing off the bench, Jermaine Couisnard chipped in with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting in a reserve role while also contributing a team-high six assists.

TIP-INS

1. South Carolina F Maik Kotsar had a season-high five assists against UMass and did not commit a turnover for just the second time this season.

2. Houston has 10 players who average at least 11 minutes per game.

3. Lawson's three best shooting games this season have been the last three games (57.1 percent, 50 percent and 61.5 percent).

PREDICTION: South Carolina 65, Houston 62