SAN ANTONIO -- After splitting its two-game road trip against Houston Baptist and Abilene Christian, the University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team is back at the McDermott Center for a matchup with Sam Houston State at 7 p.m. (CT) Wednesday. 
 
"We are excited to play at home," Cardinals coach Carson Cunningham said. "We want to give our fans an energetic, ultra-competitive performance. Our band has really been bringing it and we're grateful. We want to give them even more reason to make noise. Sam Houston State has been playing very well. We know it's a mighty challenge. We're eager to compete."
 
TIPOFF COVERAGE
Live stream: Cardinals Sports Network
Talent: Scott Mandziara
Live Stats: SIDEARM
 
SERIES HISTORY
UIW (5-16, 2-8 SLC) trails SHSU (15-7, 8-3 SLC) in head-to-head matchups, 2-5. 
 
FRESHMEN FRENZY
Two Cardinals are among the top-6 scorers in the SLC among freshman - Keaston Willis is second with 12.7 PPG and Drew Lutz is sixth with 10.9 PPG. Vincent Miszkiewicz leads all freshmen in the conference in rebounds per game (7.9) and is third in the SLC in blocks per game (1.0) by a freshman.
 
BALENTINE'S DAY
Redshirt junior guard Des Balentine is enjoying his best stretch of the season, averaging 13 points, five rebounds and 2.5 assists over the last two games.
 
THREE-STON WILLIS
Willis has put together an impressive run over the last couple of weeks, averaging 16 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.3 3-pointers made per game over the last four contests.
 
DEFENDING THE NEST
In UIW's four home wins this season, the Cardinals are outscoring opponents by an average of 21 points per game, 80.8-59.8.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION

• Last year's regular season SLC champions, Sam Houston State is off to another strong start in conference play with an 8-3 record (which ranks second in the SLC) to go with its 15-7 overall mark.
• The Bearkats won four consecutive games before losing their most recent matchup against SFA, 81-76, on Saturday. 
• Bearkats coach Jason Hooten has led the team to five 20-win seasons over the last six years. 
• Teams have struggled to shoot the ball efficiently against the Bearkats, who have limited opponents to 40.8 percent shooting from the field and 31.7 percent from beyond the arc - good for second and fourth in the conference, respectively.
• Sam Houston State is the best free-throw shooting team in the conference, converting 76.8 percent of its foul shots on the season.
• The Bearkats have two players averaging 14 or more points per game, with Kai Mitchell leading the team with 14.7 and Zach Nutall averaging 14.0.

STAY TUNED 
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook. 
 
The UIW men's basketball team is on Twitter at @UIWMBB and Instagram at @uiwmensbasketball.