The 21st-ranked Houston Cougars (16-4, 6-1 AAC), 13.5-point favorites, will be at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum to challenge the East Carolina Pirates (9-11, 3-4 AAC) in an AAC matchup. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 140 points and it is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 29, 2020.
Houston Cougars at East Carolina Pirates ATS Odds
Both teams easily got past their last opponent. The Pirates defeated the Tulane Green Wave 81-62, while the Cougars beat the South Florida Bulls 68-49.
Houston played a nearly perfect game. They had a turnover percentage of 11.8 (better than their season average of 15.0) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 36.8 (below their season average of 39.7). South Florida recorded marks of 20.6 and 25.8, respectively, for those same stats. The Pirates, on the other hand, made 19 of their 27 free throws (70.4 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.620 (above their season average of 0.465). East Carolina received a boost from Jayden Gardner, who recorded 27 points and 13 rebounds. Meanwhile, DeJon Jarreau fueled Houston with 12 points and six assists.
The Cougars dominated this series last year, taking both games. In the last contest, Houston won 99-65. The Cougars’ 34.8 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over the Pirates, who had a mark of 13.8. This is the first time these teams will meet this year.
The physical East Carolina offense seems poised to dominate from the charity stripe. The Pirates currently rank 33rd in the country with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.276, while Houston ranks 278th in FTA rate allowed (0.257). Also, the 27th-ranked defense of the Cougars (effective field goal percentage allowed of 0.443) will clash against the 293rd-ranked offense of the Pirates (effective field goal percentage of 0.472).
Houston Cougars vs. East Carolina Pirates Betting Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Houston, ATS Winner – East Carolina, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Houston ranks third in rebounds per game (42.5) while East Carolina ranks 154th (35.7).
- The Cougars average 13.3 assists per game, which ranks 128th in the country. The Pirates rank 150th in assists allowed per game (13.1).
- Houston ranks 205th in three pointers attempted per game (19.9) while East Carolina ranks 219th in three pointers allowed per game (24.2).
- The Cougars rank 17th in steals allowed per game (4.9) while the Pirates rank 146th (7.0).
- Houston ranks 16th in blocks per game (5.5) while East Carolina ranks 96th (3.5).
Bettings Trends:
- The Cougars’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.2, down from 10.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Pirates have scored an average of 64.4 points per game (5.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.2 points per game (0.8 above their season average).
