GAME NOTES: A couple of red-hot teams mix it up at the Mullins Center in Amherst tonight, as the Houston Cougars clash with the Massachusetts Minutemen in non-conference play. The Cougars come into the contest as one of the hottest teams around, as they have won 10 games in a row, marking their longest win streak since the 1982-83 team posted victories in 26 consecutive outings. Most recently, Houston wrapped up a lengthy eight-game homestand by defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 76-65, on Saturday. The win improved the Cougars to an impressive 11-1 overall, with their lone loss coming to Virginia Commonwealth (73-72) back on November 15th. As for UMass, it has also fared well this season and it brings a five-game win streak into tonight's bout. The most recent of those triumphs came on Saturday, a 70-61 decision over Boston University. With the win, the Minutemen improved to 10-2, as they are off to their best start since the 1995-96 club began 26-0 en route to the Final Four. Tonight's game marks the first-ever meeting between Houston and UMass on the hardwood.

The Cougars have done a tremendous job in forcing opposing teams into mistakes and avoiding miscues themselves. The team if creating 18.0 turnovers per game, while committing just 10.9 tpg itself. The +7.1 turnover margin and Houston's ability to score (78.2 ppg) at a high level, has been the key to the team's fast start. Robert McKiver is the squad's go-to-guy and he is averaging a hardy 21.3 ppg behind 38.8 percent shooting from three-point range. He is also a presence on defense, recording a team-best 21 steals. Dion Dowell is a distant second with 13.6 ppg, and he is also grabbing a team-high 8.1 rpg and shooting 44.0 percent from long distance. Brockeith Pane rounds out the double-figure scorers with 11.0 ppg. In the team's last game, McKiver poured in 35 points and recorded five steals in leading Houston to an 11-point win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Cougars shot just 37.3 percent from the field in the contest, but they made up for that by forcing a whopping 23 turnovers.

UMass is one of the most explosive teams in the nation, as it is averaging a healthy 84.1 ppg behind 46.8 percent shooting from the field. Gary Forbes has been simply sensational and he leads the team in both scoring (20.9 ppg) and rebounding (8.0 rpg). Ricky Harris is hot on his trail with 19.2 ppg and he is also a big factor at the defense end of the court, leading the team with 29 steals. Chris Lowe adds 11.4 ppg and a team-best 5.5 apg to the mix, while Etienne Brower contributes 10.5 ppg and 6.1 rpg. In the squad's previous contest, Forbes notched a double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds, lifting UMass to a nine-point win over Boston University. Harris turned in 16 points and two steals, while Lowe had 14 points and six boards. The Minutemen hit on only 36.8 percent of their field goal tries, but their 22-7 advantage in free- throw points was enough for the win.

Both teams like to push the tempo of the game, so expect a high scoring affair tonight. UMass has the edge playing at home and with Forbes leading the way, it should prevail in a close one tonight.