Houston @ Drexel preview

Rob Gray is expected back just in time to help Houston face Drexel on Friday in the opening round of Paradise Jam in Lynchburg, Va. Gray was suspended for the season opener for an NCAA violation, but is now free to pursue his 33rd straight game in double figures.

In Gray's absence, the Cougars turned to Armoni Brooks to lead the way in the season opener against McNeese and the sophomore didn't disappoint, dropping a career-high 22 points in the 81-53 victory. "Armoni plays against Rob (Gray) two hours every day in practice and he's been playing really well," coach Kelvin Sampson told the media. "I like our depth, but as good as the guards were shooting the ball, we are better with Rob." The Cougars will need Brooks to make a huge improvement over his 4.4 points per game last season to make up for the loss of Damyean Dotson's 17.4 points per game. The Dragons, who are led by second-year coach Zach Spiker, blew a 10-point halftime lead to lose their season opener to Bowling Green before rebounding to defeat Division III Arcadia.

TV: 2:30 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT DREXEL (1-1): Although it came one game late, Tramaine Isabelle finally made his debut for the Dragons against Arcadia and immediately looked like the team's best player with 22 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Isabelle, who missed the opener due to a violation of team rules, transferred from Missouri, where he was a member of the last place team in the SEC two years ago, to Drexel, which finished last in the Colonial Athletic Conference a season ago. The Dragons return many of their top scorers from last season, including Sammy Mojica, Kurk Lee and Miles Overton, who missed the first two games with a calf strain.

ABOUT HOUSTON (1-0): While the bulk of their scoring will like come from their guards, including Wes VanBeck and Corey Davis, Jr., the Cougars will mix and match their frontcourt players. Based on the opener, newcomer Breaon Brady, who had 10 rebounds, and senior Devin Davis will draw the starting assignments with Gabe Grant, Chris Harris, Jr. and freshman Fabian White, Jr. available to come off the bench. "We've got some versatility in our lineups and we have depth in the back court and up front," Sampson told the media.

TIP-INS

1. The Paradise Jam was held in the U.S. Virgin Islands for the last 17 years, but because of hurricane damage, it has been relocated to Liberty University.

2. Gray led the American Athletic Conference in scoring a season ago with 20.6 points per game for the Cougars, who lost in the first round of the 2017 NIT.

3. The winner plays Mercer or host Liberty in Saturday's semifinals.

PREDICTION: Houston 85, Drexel 63