Offense meets defense when the No. 25 Cincinnati Bearcats (20-3, 9-1 AAC) head to Houston to take on the No. 12 Cougars (22-1, 9-1 AAC). The game starts at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 10, 2019, and will air on ESPN.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Houston Cougars Free Prediction
In the Bearcats’ last outing, they defeated the Memphis Tigers, 69-64. The Bearcats had a much better free throw rate (0.207 vs. 0.071) and held the Tigers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.6 (below their season average of 35.1). With 17 points on 4-for-11 shooting, Jarron Cumberland was Cincinnati’s high scorer.
The Cougars defeated the UCF Knights in their last outing, 77-68. The Cougars held the Knights to an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.0 (below their season average of 29.7) and had a free throw rate of 0.351 (above their season average of 0.242). Corey Davis Jr. was the game’s high scorer with 26 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the field.
After the Bearcats won two out of three meetings against the Cougars last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. In the most recent contest, Cincinnati won 56-55. The Bearcats had a better free throw rate (0.261 vs. 0.182) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.478 vs. 0.409).
This showdown pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Houston ranks 55th in offensive efficiency and Cincinnati ranks 30th in defensive efficiency. Also, the Bearcats are among the country’s best on the offensive backboards, ranking 16th in offensive rebounding percentage (36.9 percent). The Cougars, however, rank 55th at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 74.9 percent.
Cincinnati at Houston ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Cincinnati, ATS Winner – Cincinnati, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Houston ranks 45th in three pointers attempted per game (26.1) while Cincinnati ranks 245th (19.2).
The Cougars rank seventh in rebounds per game (41.8) while the Bearcats rank 147th (35.7).
Cincinnati ranks third in steals allowed per game (4.2) while Houston ranks 69th (5.7).
The Cougars are 22nd in the NCAA with 2.4 blocks allowed per game while the Bearcats are 59th with 2.9 blocks allowed per game.
Houston allows the 20th-fewest assists per game (10.6) while Cincinnati ranks 50th (11.5).
Bettings Trends:
The Bearcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.8, down from 13.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cougars have scored an average of 78.0 points per game (2.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 61.8 points per game (1.0 above their season average).
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