The Cougars are facing another must-win game against another Conference USA team. Entering Saturday’s game against the 9-17 East Carolina Pirates with a total of 21 wins, Houston knows they’re a team on the bubble.
Senior guard Marcus Malone said the Cougars would not hold anything back against this downtrodden squad. Too much is on the line.
"Each game is like a one-game tournament. You lose, you’re out," Malone said. "Each day presents a new task."
Houston head coach Tom Penders agrees. He said ECU has the talent to create a potential trap game.
"This is a team that’s been a little up and down, but it’s still a team that beat North Carolina State," Penders said. They’ve got a lot of talent on this team. We’re going to have to go down there and play a great game."
Senior guard Robert "Fluff" McKiver said putting his 52-point performance against Southern Miss behind him in preparation for the Pirates would not be difficult. With three games remaining on the schedule, McKiver said he knows he must stay focused on the task at hand. Penders is looking to his leading scorer to keep up his recent streak of hot scoring and defense.
"Fluff is never satisfied. There’s a reason he’s one of the best players in the country," Penders said. "He works hard and is in the gym until one or two o’clock in the morning. I don’t worry about him."
