The No. 3 Houston Cougars (33-3), 3-point underdogs, go head-to-head against the No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats (29-6) in the Sweet Sixteen at Sprint Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 134.5 points and action begins at 9:59 p.m. ET on Friday, March 29, 2019.
Houston Cougars vs. Kentucky Wildcats ATS Odds
Both teams defeated their last opponent. The Wildcats defeated the No. 7 Wofford Terriers 62-56, while the Cougars beat the No. 11 Ohio State Buckeyes 74-59.
Houston played a flawless game. They had a phenomenally low turnover percentage of 8.2 (better than their season average of 14.3) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.5 (below their season average of 34.8). Ohio State recorded marks of 20.0 and 17.6, respectively, for those same stats. Meanwhile, Kentucky played a nearly perfect game. They had a ridiculous free throw rate of 0.327 (above their season average of 0.313) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.4 (below their season average of 36.9). Wofford was 0.107 and 26.5, respectively, for those same stats. Kentucky rallied around Reid Travis, who put up 14 points and 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, Corey Davis Jr. played a key role for Houston with 21 points and six rebounds.
Matchups including the Cougars have a tendency to finish under the total (58.3 percent). Houston heads into the game with records of 33-3 straight up (SU) and 22-12-2 against the spread (ATS).
Wildcats games also have a tendency to go under the total (65.7 percent). Moreover, Kentucky owns records of 29-6 SU and 18-16-1 ATS.
This showdown pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses as Kentucky ranks 15th in offensive efficiency and Houston is sixth in defensive efficiency.
Houston Cougars vs. Kentucky Wildcats Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Kentucky, ATS Winner – Houston, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Houston ranks 58th in three pointers attempted per game (25.5) while Kentucky ranks 320th (16.4).
- The Cougars rank 40th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while the Wildcats rank 71st (5.7).
- Houston allows the 10th-fewest assists per game (10.1) while Kentucky ranks 37th (11.1).
- The Wildcats rank second in rebounds allowed per game (29.1) while the Cougars rank 83rd (33.3).
- Houston ranks ninth in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while Kentucky ranks 88th (3.0).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 71.6 points per game (4.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 58.8 points per game (5.7 below their season average).
- The Cougars’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 14.8, down from 14.8 for the season.
