While we can excuse losses to Auburn & Alabama, we're also wondering if Houston is as good as it was last season, with early indicators suggesting maybe not. Kelvin Sampson's style of NBA-like high-usage for his star players worked a bit better when there was an NBA-caliber guard like Jamal Shead (now employed by the Toronto Raptors) on the floor. Try as he might, Sampson might not be able to turn LJ Cryer (13.5 ppg) or Emanuel Sharp (13 ppg) into another Shead, as it was a labored effort on Wednesday vs. Notre Dame. San Diego State might be down a notch, too, as replacing PF Jaedon LeDee and his 21.6 ppg looks a tall order for Brian Dutcher. It's now a very guard-oriented Aztecs team, led by returnee G BJ Davis (15.6 ppg) and augmented by FAU transfer Nick Boyd (13.2 ppg). It's worth noting that a recurring bugaboo for SDSU in recent years, three-point shooting, hasn't been bad at all ion the first five games, clicking at 39%. Play San Diego State (at MGM Grand Garden, Las Vegas)