The Cardinals hope to be lousy hosts on Saturday as the Sam Houston State Bearkats pay a visit to Montagne Center on the college basketball betting menu.

The Cardinals are 12-15 so far on the season, and 1-2 ATS vs. the number. The Bearkats, meanwhile, are 13-12 and 0-1 ATS. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Lamar go 3-0 and the Bearkats go 0-0 on the totals.



View Sam Houston State vs Lamar Odds and Stats.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Cardinals sit at No. 115 in the current college hoops power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Bearkats sit at No. 72 on the same chart. The computers running our scores simulations have concluded that the Cardinals will win this game 82-77.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Lamar's No. 10 nationally ranked offense (82.1 points per game) against a Bearkats defense that sits as the No. 214 at 69.1 PPG. The Cardinals have been averaging 43.1% from the field, less than the Bearkats have managed so far this season (44.3% on average).

Defensively, Sam Houston State features the nation's No. 259-rated defense on the road, allowing 74.4 points per game. Lamar, meanwhile, comes in at No. 2 nationally in scoring at home.

Sam Houston State was a 64-63 loser in their most recent outing at home against Northwestern State. The Bearkats got 21 points from Gilberto Clavell, but it was Northwestern State that prevailed in a 64-63 final on Wednesday at Bernard Johnson Coliseum.

Lamar was a 60-55 loser in its last match on the road against Stephen F. Austin. Lamar suffered a 60-55 loss against Stephen F. Austin on Wednesday, getting 17 points from Mike James in a losing effort at William R. Johnson Coliseum.

Next up:
Sam Houston State at Stephen F. Austin, Wednesday, March 2
Lamar home to Texas State, Wednesday, March 2