East Carolina @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 25, 2018 ) East Carolina 58, Houston 109

Houston has proven that it can rebound nicely from a bump in the road. The 17th-ranked Cougars are 3-0 since suffering their only loss of the season and hope to post another victory Wednesday, when they host East Carolina in American Athletic Conference action.

After opening the season with 15 straight wins, Houston was upended by Temple before recovering to defeat Wichita State, SMU and South Florida - all by at least nine points. No one scored more than 13 points in the recent win over the Bulls, as the Cougars overcame 40.4 percent shooting and a 3-for-13 effort from 3-point range. "That's the thing about our team," Houston coach Kelvin Sampson told reporters. "We don't depend on one player." Perhaps the Cougars' depth will pay off against a Pirates team that has given up at least 70 points in all five of its AAC games.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN3

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (8-9, 1-4 American): While the Pirates haven't generated many headlines this season, freshman forward Jayden Gardner has been among the league's top players. Gardner is averaging 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds while shooting nearly 55 percent and posting seven double-doubles. Seth LeDay recorded a double-double of his own against Temple, registering 12 points and 10 rebounds, and has notched three on the season - with two coming in his last three games.

ABOUT HOUSTON (18-1, 5-1): The Cougars have two double-digit scorers on the season - Corey Davis Jr. (15.2 points) and Armoni Brooks (14.3) - and the duo has combined to make 117 3-pointers. Brooks, a 6-3 guard, leads the team in rebounding (6.5) but shoots only 39.2 percent from the field. Davis isn't significantly better at 41.7 percent, but he's an elite free-throw shooter (91.8 percent) and has a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

TIP-INS

1. East Carolina G Shawn Williams is 10-for-40 from the field over his last three contests.

2. Entering Tuesday's action, Houston ranks sixth in the nation in points allowed (60.5).

3. In the game versus South Florida, Davis failed to record an assist for the first time all season.

PREDICTION: Houston 79, East Carolina 66