Cougars vs. Pirates Prediction
The eighth-ranked Houston Cougars have lost only once all season and will go after their 27th win tonight at the East Carolina Pirates. Is Houston going to cover the number on the road as a big favorite?
Game Snapshot
801 Houston Cougars at 802 East Carolina Pirates
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Minges Coliseum at 7PM ET
TV: ESPN3
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Cougars are a 16-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 133.5 points. As of Wednesday morning, 62 percent of public bets are siding with host East Carolina. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for up-to-date info.
Cougars win 10th in a row
Houston earned a 71-59 home win Saturday night over South Florida to improve to 25-1 overall and 13-1 in the American Athletic Conference. The Cougars led 34-26 at halftime and continued to pad the lead after the break. Houston shot 25-of-53 from the floor, 8-of-21 on 3-point tries and 13-of-21 at the free throw line. Dejon Jarreau led the Cougars with 17 points off the bench on 5-of-6 shooting including 1-of-1 at the free throw line plus 6-of-9 at the free throw line. He also notched four assists and three rebounds. Corey Davis Jr. added 15 points, three boards and three assists.
Pirates snap five-game skid
East Carolina recorded an 85-81 victory at Tulane Saturday night to move to 10-16 overall and 3-11 in conference action. The Pirates outscored the hosts 38-28 in the second half to overcome a six-point halftime deficit. East Carolina shot 26-of-62 from the floor, 6-of-20 from 3-point range and 27-of-36 at the free throw line. Shawn Williams paced the Pirates with 27 points on 7-of-12 shooting including 5-of-10 from 3-point range plus 8-of-9 at the free throw line. He added two rebounds and two steals. Isaac Fleming contributed 20 points, 10 boards, two assists and two steals. Seth LeDay tallied 14 points along with seven rebounds, four steals and two assists off the bench. Jayden Gardner added 11 points and three rebounds.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Houston
The Cougars are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 road games. Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last five Wednesday games.
East Carolina
The Pirates are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Prediction:
East Carolina is porous offensively, but it is at home and could be facing a Houston team looking ahead toward a much tougher showdown at home against Central Florida this weekend. This spread opened at -14.5 and has gone up to 16, which I think is a little too large. Take the big underdogs on their home floor.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: EAST CAROLINA PIRATES +16