Offense meets defense when the Houston Cougars (16-4, 6-2 AAC) travel to Cincinnati to take on the No. 8 Bearcats (19-2, 8-0 AAC). The game can be seen on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 31, 2018.
Cincinnati is an 11-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 131.5 points.
Houston Cougars vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Free Prediction
The Cougars come in on a high note after blowing out the South Florida Bulls in their last game, 63-40. The Cougars held the Bulls to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.7 (below their season average of 29.4) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.330 (below their season average of 0.477). Fabian White Jr. played a pivotal role for Houston with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
In the Bearcats’ last matchup, they beat the Memphis Tigers, 62-48. Cincinnati’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Memphis. The Bearcats had a rate of 0.510 (below their season average of 0.523), while the Tigers posted a mark of 0.344 (below their season average of 0.492). Gary Clark led Cincinnati in scoring with 18 points on 5-for-14 shooting.
This showdown pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses as Cincinnati currently ranks 36th in offensive efficiency and Houston is 28th in defensive efficiency.
Houston comes into the contest with records of 16-4 straight up (SU) and 9-7 against the spread (ATS). Games involving the Cougars tend to finish under the total (62.5 percent).
Meanwhile, Cincinnati owns records of 19-2 SU and 11-7 ATS. Games involving the Bearcats also have a tendency to go under the O/U total (64.7 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Corey Davis Jr. (15.6 points, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals) has been fantastic for the Cougars while Clark (15.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals) has contributed greatly to the Bearcats.
After the Bearcats won both games against the Cougars last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent game, Cincinnati won 65-47. The Bearcats had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (38.7 vs. 15.2) and had a better free throw rate (0.172 vs. 0.125).
Houston Cougars at Cincinnati Bearcats ATS Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Cincinnati, ATS Winner – Houston, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Houston is 4-6 ATS on the road with 6 unders and 4 overs.
Cincinnati is 5-3 ATS at home with 4 overs and 3 unders.
Cincinnati ranks 20th in steals per game (8.2) while Houston ranks 117th (6.3).
The Bearcats rank 17th in blocks per game (5.5) while the Cougars rank 108th (3.5).
Cincinnati averages 40.3 rebounds per game, which ranks 11th in the NCAA. Houston ranks 69th in rebounds allowed per game (32.9).
The Bearcats rank 32nd in assists per game (16.7) while the Cougars rank 88th (14.9).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Houston is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Cincinnati is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Cougars’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 15.4, up from 12.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bearcats have scored an average of 70.0 points per game (6.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 48.6 points per game (7.6 below their season average).
