KINGSVILLE, Texas - The Texas A&M-Kingsville men's basketball team is on the road as they close out the last of their Lone Star Conference matchups in 2023. The three game road trip kicks off on Sunday, Dec. 10 against defending LSC champions West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas with tip-off scheduled for 4 p.m. Afterwards, the Hogs make the short trip over to Lubbock, Texas to take on Lubbock Christian on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 3 p.m.
The Javelinas (2-5, LSC 0-2) are coming off a tough weekend of conference-opening play, dropping an overtime decision to Angelo State, 81-85, and coming up short against UT Permian Basin, 77-87.
C.J. Smith put up a new career scoring-high against the Falcons, racking up 27 points while shooting 68.8 percent from the field. Smith also dished out nine assists and totaled another 15 points against Angelo State. He was also a force on the defensive end, snagging six steals on the weekend alongside four rebounds.
Kavon Booker led the Javelinas in rebounding on the weekend with 12 total boards while also putting uo 15 and 7 points against ASU and UTPB.
Dillon Gooding was a heavy presence on defense as well alongside Smith, getting a team-leading seven steals of his own over the two contests. Gooding also put up 11 points in both games with three rebounds and four assists.
The Javelinas are on a six-game skid against WTAMU and currently sit at 1-2 overall against LCU.
SCOUTING THE BUFFALOES
The Buffaloes are currently on a three-game win streak, knocking off Oklahoma Christian their last time out, 83-77.
Larry Wise leads WT in scoring averaging 21.0 points per game. Three other Buffs, Ryland Holt, Zach Toussaint, and Kieran Elliot, average at least 10 PPG as well.
Wise also leads the team in assists at 25. Elliot leads in rebounding with 51 total rebounds.
The Buffaloes are shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 33.5 percent from behind the arc. They are also outrebounding their opponents by a 5.5 margin and forcing 5 more turnovers per game.
SCOUTING THE CHAPS
The Chaps are on a three-game win streak of their own, picking up victories against Oklahoma Christian and Arkansas-Fort Smith their last time out.
Four Chaps are averaging double-digit points on the season with Tiras Morton leading at 16.8 PPG.
LCU is currently shooting 50.1 percent from then floor so far and 42.1 percent from three-point land.
The Chaps are being outrebounded by their opponents by a -3.6 margin, but make up for it by forcing 4.4 more turnovers per game - including grabbing 31 more steals than their opposition so far.
