Mustangs vs. Cougars Prediction
The 12th-ranked Houston Cougars will look to keep pace atop the American Athletic Conference standings tonight as double-digit favorites against the Southern Methodist Mustangs. Will Houston win by enough to cover the spread?
Game Snapshot
617 SMU Mustangs at 618 Houston Cougars
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Fertitta Center at 9PM ET
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Cougars are a 12.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 136 points. As of Thursday afternoon, 79 percent of public bets are pouring in on host Houston. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Mustangs drop third straight
Southern Methodist lost by a count of 67-55 at home Sunday against Wichita State to drop to 13-15 overall and 5-11 in the AAC. The Mustangs fell behind 41-28 at halftime on their way to the defeat. Feron Hunt paced SMU with 14 points off the bench on 5-of-6 shooting including 4-of-4 at the free throw line. He also recorded three rebounds. Jahmal McMurray tallied 13 points plus five boards and three assists. Ethan Chargois added 13 points and eight caroms as a reserve. The Mustangs shot 19-of-52 from the field, 3-of-26 from 3-point range and 14-of-21 at the free throw line.
33-game home win streak snapped
Houston was stunned 69-64 at home Saturday to see its lengthy home winning streak come to a close. The Cougars (27-2, 14-2) were outscored 41-31 in the second half of the loss. Houston shot 23-of-55 from the field, 6-of-18 from 3-point distance plus 12-of-24 at the free throw line. Corey Davis Jr. paced the Cougars with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting including 2-of-5 from 3-point range plus 3-of-6 at the charity stripe. He also notched three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Dejon Jarreau accounted for 15 points and two boards. Galen Robinson Jr. added 11 points, two rebounds and two dimes.
College Basketball Betting Trends
SMU
The Mustangs are 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 games overall. Southern Methodist is 1-5-1 ATS in its last seven road games.
Houston
The Cougars are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 games following an ATS loss. The favorite is 3-1-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
Prediction:
This seems like a prime bounceback spot for the Cougars, with a win setting up a showdown Sunday at Cincinnati for at least a share of the AAC regular season title. Houston already downed SMU 69-58 on the road back on January 16 and after the wakeup call versus Central Florida, I expect the Cougars to be on top of their game here. Bet on Houston to cover tonight.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: HOUSTON COUGARS -12.5