Kermit Davis knew Houston would bring a talented squad to Murphy Center tonight before the season tipped off.But he didn't know his own talented roster would be abbreviated.
MTSU senior point guard Nigel Johnson (MCL sprain) and center Theryn Hudson (foot) are both out for tonight's game.
Meanwhile, Houston arrives with a 4-1 record, including wins over Sun Belt members Western Kentucky and North Texas.
"I knew Houston was going to be a very good team, but they've really proven it with convincing wins over Western Kentucky and North Texas," Davis said. "Now the margin of victory against North Texas (84-51) surprised me.
"I just wish we were playing with our whole team. I can't wait for that."
MTSU will be slower and smaller without the lightning-quick Johnson and 6-foot-10 Hudson.
Houston has two strong posts in 6-8 forward Qa'rraan Calhoun and 6-11 center Marcus Cousin, who averages 15.4 points and 9.8 rebounds. Guards Kelvin Lewis and Aubrey Coleman average 17.2 and 16.0 points, respectively, in a talented starting lineup.
In Johnson's absence, Davis said MTSU must get quality play from guards Eric Allen, Antwaun Boyd and DeMario Williams.
Davis said Desmond Yates' production must also pick up. Yates scored only 16 points combined on 6-of-17 shooting in back-to-back losses to Tennessee and Vanderbilt in the last two games.
MTSU senior point guard Nigel Johnson (MCL sprain) and center Theryn Hudson (foot) are both out for tonight's game.
Meanwhile, Houston arrives with a 4-1 record, including wins over Sun Belt members Western Kentucky and North Texas.
"I knew Houston was going to be a very good team, but they've really proven it with convincing wins over Western Kentucky and North Texas," Davis said. "Now the margin of victory against North Texas (84-51) surprised me.
"I just wish we were playing with our whole team. I can't wait for that."
MTSU will be slower and smaller without the lightning-quick Johnson and 6-foot-10 Hudson.
Houston has two strong posts in 6-8 forward Qa'rraan Calhoun and 6-11 center Marcus Cousin, who averages 15.4 points and 9.8 rebounds. Guards Kelvin Lewis and Aubrey Coleman average 17.2 and 16.0 points, respectively, in a talented starting lineup.
In Johnson's absence, Davis said MTSU must get quality play from guards Eric Allen, Antwaun Boyd and DeMario Williams.
Davis said Desmond Yates' production must also pick up. Yates scored only 16 points combined on 6-of-17 shooting in back-to-back losses to Tennessee and Vanderbilt in the last two games.
