The No. 6 Houston Cougars (26-7) go head-to-head against the No. 11 San Diego State Aztecs (22-10) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at Intrust Bank Arena. The game is scheduled to get underway at 7:20 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, 2018.
Houston opened as a 4-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 142.5 points.
San Diego State Aztecs vs. Houston Cougars Betting Prediction
In the , the Aztecs defeated the New Mexico Lobos, 82-75. The Aztecs knocked down 21 of their 29 free throws (72.4 percent) and held the Lobos to an effective field goal percentage of 0.476 (below their season average of 0.546). With 28 points on 10-for-16 shooting, Trey Kell was the top scorer from either team.
The Cougars lost a tough one against the No. 8 Cincinnati Bearcats in the , 56-55. Cincinnati’s free throw rate was their largest strength over Houston. The Bearcats had a rate of 0.261 (above their season average of 0.252), while the Cougars posted a mark of 0.182 (below their season average of 0.232). With 17 points on 6-for-22 shooting, Rob Gray was Houston’s leading scorer.
This showdown pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Houston ranks 29th in offensive efficiency and San Diego State ranks 33rd in defensive efficiency.
San Diego State holds records of 22-10 straight up (SU) and 20-10 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Aztecs have a slight tendency to go over the total (50.0 percent).
Meanwhile, Houston owns records of 26-7 SU and 18-11 ATS. Vegas has a tendency to set the total high when the Cougars are involved, as 55.2 percent of their games have finished under the projected point total.
Rob Gray has averaged 23.6 points, 6.0 assists and 1.2 steals over the last five games for Houston.
San Diego State Aztecs vs. Houston Cougars Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Houston, ATS Winner – San Diego State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Houston ranks 77th in three pointers allowed per game (20.3) while San Diego State ranks 246th (23.7).
The Cougars rank 23rd in assists allowed per game (11.0) while the Aztecs rank 170th (13.8).
Houston ranks 25th in steals allowed per game (5.1) while San Diego State ranks 136th (6.3).
The Cougars rank 25th in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while the Aztecs rank 127th (3.4).
Houston ranks 36th in rebounds per game (38.6) while San Diego State ranks 66th (37.7).
Bettings Trends:
The Aztecs have been outscored by an average of 6.6 points in their last five games. On the season, San Diego State has defeated opponents by an average of 7.1 points.
During their last five games, the Cougars have scored an average of 73.2 points per game (4.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 62.6 points per game (2.3 below their season average).
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