NJIT vs. Houston 12/29/18, Prediction & Odds

Highlanders vs. Cougars Prediction

The 22nd-ranked Houston Cougars have not lost through 12 games overall and are 10-0 on their home court. Will Houston again show its home dominance today versus NJIT?

Game Snapshot

307717 NJIT Highlanders at 307718 Houston Cougars

Saturday, December 29, 2018

Fertitta Center at 4PM ET

TV: ESPN3

Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our College Basketball Odds & Betting Page.

 

Public Betting Information

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Cougars are a 17.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 130 points. As of Saturday morning, 66 percent of public bets are siding with host Houston. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest updates.

NJIT posts win at Fairleigh Dickinson

The Highlanders improved to 11-2 on the season last Saturday night with a 90-80 win at the Knights. In the second half, NJIT outscored the hosts 50-43 to put it away. Zach Cooks led the Highlanders with 25 points on 7-of-13 shooting including 5-of-7 from 3-point range and 6-of-6 at the free throw line. He added seven rebounds and two steals. Abdul Lewis contributed 20 points, 12 boards and four assists. San Antonio Brinson tallied 18 points and four caroms. Diandre Wilson had 12 points and seven rebounds. Shyquan Gibbs added 10 points and four assists. New Jersey Institute of Technology shot 25-of-50 from the floor, 9-of-19 from 3-point range and 31-of-35 at the charity stripe.

Cougars dominate Coppin State

Houston extended the nation's longest home winning streak to 25 games Sunday with a 75-44 home victory over Coppin State. The Cougars (12-0) led 37-22 at halftime on its way to the easy win. Corey Davis Jr. led Houston with 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting including 4-of-9 on 3-point tries and 2-of-2 at the free throw line. He also notched five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Breaon Brady tallied 13 points and three boards. Armoni Brooks added 10 points plus nine rebounds and two assists. Houston shot 28-of-65 from the floor, 7-of-25 from 3-point distance and 12-of-18 at the free throw line.

College Basketball Betting Trends

NJIT

The Highlanders are 7-1 ATS in their last eight road games. NJIT is 5-1-1 ATS in its last seven games following an ATS win.

Houston

The Cougars are 7-0-1 ATS in their last eight games following an ATS loss. Houston is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games overall.

Prediction:

The Highlanders have played a very weak schedule and their two losses have come against Cornell at home and UMass Lowell on the road. Expecting them to stick with Houston doesn't seem fair, but this is an NJIT team that plays smart and knows how to win. I'm going to be contrarian with this contest and go against the public, which can often be the smart way to go. Give me NJIT and the points as its slow pace will be a good match for the even slower-paced Cougars.

 

NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: NJIT +17.5