The Houston Cougars (4-0) face off against the Murray State Racers (5-2) at Hofheinz Pavilion. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Dec. 2 and can be seen on ES3.
The Cougars beat Texas-Rio Grande Valley 78-65 on Monday. Devonta Pollard was a key piece, recording his first double-double of the season with 24 points and 12 rebounds. The Racers, meanwhile, are coming off a 63-61 win against Alabama A&M on Saturday. Gee McGhee shot 6 for 11 and led in scoring with 16 points.
Houston is a six-point favorite against Murray State and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at 142 points. The Cougars come into this game unbeaten with a 4-0 record Straight Up (SU) and 1-0 Against The Spread (ATS). The Cougars are one of the best in Division I in terms of free throw percentage, shooting an impressive .759 from the free throw line. Houston is one of the most disciplined teams in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.60. Opposing teams know they’re in for a battle when they play Houston’s stingy defense. The Cougars are one of the top teams when it comes to defense, allowing just 62.5 points per game. Teams have to fight for three-pointers against the Cougars, who allow the fewest opponent three-pointers made in the nation at 17 (4.0 per game).
On the other side, the Racers have records of 3-2 ATS and 5-2 SU.
Houston and Murray State meet for what will be their first head-to-head battle of the season. Houston won the last game in the matchup, moving its SU record against the Racers to 1-0. Additionally, with a 1-0 record, Houston has the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou, ATS Winner – Hou, O/U – Over
Notes
Houston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games.
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
Murray State scores an average of just 68.6 points per game (ranked 281st). Houston ranks 30th in points allowed, giving up 62.5 points per game.
The Houston Cougars rank sixth for their offensive rating of 126.4. The Murray State Racers have a defensive rating of 91.1 (ranked 39th).
The Houston Cougars average 71.4 possessions and 1.264 points per possession in games this season. The Murray State Racers average fewer possessions with 69.7, as well as fewer points per possession with .983.
Murray State has an average effective field goal percentage of 47.2%. Houston is undefeated (1-0) when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
The Houston Cougars attempt 22.0 three pointers per game this season, while the Murray State Racers attempt 18.0. When they register 20 or more three point attempts in a game, Houston is undefeated (3-0) while Murray State is winless (0-1).
The 25th-ranked team in the category, Houston has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.60 this season. Murray State ranks outside the top 100 at 130th with an A/TO of 1.15.
Houston, the 59th-ranked team in rebounding, register an average of 41.5 rebounds per game. Murray State does worse, ranked 273rd with 34.4.
Houston makes 8.2 steals per game. In games where it gives up 8 or more steals, Murray State is undefeated at 2-0.
