Incarnate Word @ Houston preview

Houston senior guard Rob Gray seems to be picking up where he left off last season. The American Athletic Conference's reigning scoring champion is ranked fifth nationally early on as the Cougars head into Saturday's contest against visiting Incarnate Word.

Gray led the AAC with 20.6 points in 2016-17 and is averaging 26.3 points - including a career-high 37 in his first game - with 3.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds. He scored 11 of Houston's final 13 points to secure a 78-73 win against Wake Forest on Sunday. "I'm trying to show people that I'm more than just a scorer," Gray told reporters after Sunday's win. "I'm an efficient basketball player that knows how to make the right plays defensively and offensively. I'm just trying to be as aggressive as possible while remaining as smart as possible." Senior guard Shawn Johnson fills the stat sheet for the Cardinals, leading the team in rebounds, blocks and steals.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT INCARNATE WORD (3-1): Johnson is one of four Cardinals averaging double figures with 12.3 points to go along with 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 steals, 2.8 assists and 2.0 blocks. Freshman forward Christian Peevy leads the Cardinals with 15 points on 72 percent shooting off the bench, adding five blocks and four steals. Starting forwards Simi Socks and Charles Brown III each add 14 points per game while point guard Jalin Hart chips in 9.7 points and 5.0 assists.

ABOUT HOUSTON (3-1): Senior guard Wes VanBeck adds 13.3 points per contest for the Cougars after back-to-back career-high performances and senior forward Devin Davis averages 11.5 points and 7.0 rebounds after his first double-double last time out. Galen Robinson Jr. returned to the starting lineup during the Paradise Jam tournament and boasts 17 assists, five turnovers and four steals overall. Houston is a plus-10 in rebounding margin and had an advantage in points in the paint in each game this season.

TIP-INS

1. Gray (1,134 career points) needs two points to pass Galen Robinson Sr. - father of his Cougars' teammate - for 30th place in school history.

2. Houston's advantage on the boards has been a team effort with F Nura Zanna (5.5) and VanBeck (4.8) following leaders Davis and F Breaon Brady (7.0).

3. The Cardinals are ranked third in blocked shots (8.8) and fourth in turnover margin (plus-9.3) nationally.

PREDICTION: Houston 82, Incarnate Word 70