Offense meets defense when the No. 9 Wichita State Shockers (11-2, 1-0 AAC) welcome the Houston Cougars (12-2, 2-0 AAC) to Charles Koch Arena. The game gets underway at 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 4, 2018.
Wichita State opened as an 8.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 151.5 points.
Houston Cougars at Wichita State Shockers Free Prediction
The last time the Cougars played, they defeated the Temple Owls, 76-73. The Cougars had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 41.2 (above their season average of 35.3), while the Owls had a free throw rate of 0.183 (below the 0.291 mark opponents have averaged against Houston this season). With 21 points on 8-for-9 shooting, Breaon Brady was the game’s high scorer.
The Shockers were victorious over the Connecticut Huskies in their last outing, 72-62. Wichita State’s rebounding was their biggest advantage. The Shockers had 17 offensive rebounds and 47 total rebounds, while the Huskies had eight and 34, respectively. With 11 points and 12 rebounds, Wichita State’s Rashard Kelly put together a solid outing.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the high-octane offense of Wichita State (24th in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 118.2) takes on the stingy defense of Houston (56th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 95.6). Also, the Cougars, who rank 32nd in offensive rebounding percentage (35.7 percent), will face a difficult test against the Shockers, who rank ninth in defensive rebounding percentage (77.6 percent).
Houston comes into the contest with records of 12-2 straight up (SU) and 6-4 against the spread (ATS). Games involving the Cougars have a tendency to go under the total (60.0 percent).
Wichita State is 11-2 SU, but they have difficulty covering the spread (4-7 ATS). A little over half of Shockers games have also finished under the total.
Landry Shamet has averaged 21.8 points and 5.8 assists over the last five games for Wichita State.
Houston Cougars vs. Wichita State Shockers Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Wichita State, ATS Winner – Wichita State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Houston ranks 138th in three pointers allowed per game (22.1) while Wichita State ranks 254th (26.2).
The Cougars rank 32nd in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while the Shockers rank 121st (4.0).
Wichita State ranks 17th in assists per game (17.9) while Houston ranks 102nd (15.0).
Both of these teams are exceptional at rebounding the ball. The Shockers are seventh in the nation with 43.3 rebounds per game while the Cougars are 39th with 39.9 rebounds per game.
Houston averages 6.3 steals per game, which ranks 116th in the NCAA. Wichita State ranks 123rd in steals allowed per game (6.7).
Bettings Trends:
The Cougars’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.0, down from 14.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Shockers have scored an average of 79.4 points per game (5.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.8 points per game (2.6 above their season average).
