PRAIRIE VIEW – The Prairie View A&M men's basketball team (1-4, 0-0) is set to welcome arch-rival Texas Southern for what stands as each team's Southwestern Athletic Conference opener. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Monday from the Baby Dome.
Last Time Out:
> The Panthers have not played since Dec. 30 at TCU, where they were unable to sustain a strong start during a 66-61 loss. Cam Mack scored a team-high 16 points with three rebounds, a pair of steals and a block. D'Rell Roberts scored 14 points and snagged four rebounds for the Panthers. Lenell Henry and Jerroda Briscoe made their presence felt on the interior with a combined 15 rebounds and six blocked shots. Hughes added eight points and seven rebounds.
Storylines to Watch:
> Mack has flashed as a difference maker for the Panthers upon his PVAMU debut, averaging a team-best 15 points and 6.5 assists in his first two games of the year..
> Jerroda Briscoe has been an interior presence for the Panthers defense this season, averaging 1.6 blocks per game. Should this average hold, it will be the highest such average by a Panther in the category since Reggis Onwukamuche averaged 1.7 swats per game during the 2014-15 campaign. Onwukamuche won SWAC Defensive Player of the Year during that season.
> Over the past six meetings, things have been evenly matched with both sides earning three wins over that span.
Scouting the Opponent:
>The preseason favorite to win the conference, Texas Southern enters the contest at 2-5 on the season. However, the Tigers have not played a game since Dec. 21.
> Led by Michael Weathers, who averages a team-best 15.0 points, 2.9 assists and 2.6 steals per game, the Tigers boast one of, if not the most productive trios in the league. On the inside, John Walker III provides a strong option, averaging 14.6 points and a Tigers-best 5.7 boards per game. Galen Alexander (11.1 PPG) gives TSU another offensive weapon as well.
> The Panthers will have to contend with one of the better rebounding units in the league, as Texas Southern allows the fewest boards per game to opponents among league teams (36.4).
How to Follow:
> Live Stats for the game are available HERE. Fans can also watch the game HERE.
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