BEAUMONT, Texas – When the Lamar University men's basketball team steps on the court Tuesday to face its next opponent they will do so with a bit of an attitude and do so against a team in a similar situation. The Cards (3-3) had reason to believe they would be two games over .500 heading into their game against SMU, especially after jumping out to a 24-point lead versus UT Rio Grande Valley on Friday. Unfortunately, the Vaqueros rallied and picked up the victory late.
 
The road setback dropped the Cards back to .500 on the season as they prepare to face SMU. The Mustangs are in a similar position also bringing a 3-3 mark into the game. The Mustangs have split their past four decisions and are coming off a one-point decision over Wright State in the Cancun Challenge last week in Mexico.
 
Tuesday's game will be the second of a season-long five-game road swing for the Cardinals that has dates remaining against the Mustangs, Rice, Houston and Cal State Bakersfield. The Red and White don't return home until Dec. 19^th (vs. Texas Southern).
 
The Cardinals enter the week with one of the league's better scoring offenses averaging better than 80 points per game. Led by four players in double figures, it is no surprise that LU is led by preseason All-Southland selection Josh Nzeakor. The Mesquite native is averaging 15 points per contest through the team's first six games and is only 30 points shy of 1,000 for his career.
 
What may be a surprise to most is that Nzeakor is not the team's leading rebounder. While he is one of the Southland's top returners on the glass he is currently second on the team to newcomer Michael Kolawole who is pulling down better than 8 boards per game and is coming off a career-high effort (13) at UT Rio Grande Valley.
 
SMU is averaging just under 74 points per game through their first six games and is being led by one of the nation's top scoring threats. Senior guard Jahmal McMurray leads the Mustangs averaging better than 19 points per game. He is also shooting better than 43 percent from beyond the arc.
 
The Cardinals will head to Dallas looking for their first-ever victory against SMU. Big Red is 0-4 all-time against the Mustangs, including an 0-3 mark in Dallas. Tuesday's game will be the first meeting between the two teams since the 2014-15 season. That marked the first full season with Tic Price as the head coach.
 
The game will be streamed live on ESPN3 and can be heard line on Newstalk 560 KLVI.