Houston vs. USF Prediction
Is No. 21 Houston giving up too many points when it hits the road to face South Florida tonight at 8PM ET?
741 Houston vs. 742 South Florida
Saturday, January 19, 2019
8PM ET – Yuengling Center
TV: ESPNU
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Houston is favored on the road, as the Cougars are getting odds of -6.5 points against South Florida. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 131 points. The public betting currently has 92 percent going on Houston on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Cougars looking to avoid letdown
Houston is coming off a 69-58 win at SMU earlier this week for a second straight victory. However, the Cougars are 1-2 against the spread in their last three games. Houston is 17-1 overall, 4-1 in the AAC, 3-1 on the road, 11-6-1 against the spread and 10-8 with the under.
The Cougars have one of the top defenses in the nation, allowing 60.5 points per game. They are holding opponents to just 36.6 percent shooting overall and 26.8 percent shooting from the arc. Offensively, Houston is putting up 74.9 points per game. Corey Davis Jr. is leading the team with 15.7 points per game while Armoni Brooks is adding 14.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest.
USF losing, but covering
South Florida is coming off an 82-74 loss at Cincinnati this week. The Bulls are just 1-3 in their last four games, but they have covered in five straight. USF is 12-5 on the season, 2-3 in the AAC, 12-5 against the spread and 9-7 with the under.
USF is respectable on defense, allowing 66.5 points per game while holding opponents to 31.6 percent shooting from the arc. Offensively, South Florida is putting up 74.7 points per game. LaQuincy Rideau is averaging 14.6 points and 5.7 assists per game while Alexis Yetna is adding 12.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per contest.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Houston
The Cougars are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight road games and 12-4-1 ATS in their last 17 AAC games.
South Florida
USF is 5-1 ATS in its last six home games and 8-0 ATS in its last eight conference games.
Prediction:
The trends are strong for both teams, but I like USF at home tonight. The Bulls and Cougars both are defensive-minded teams, which should keep the score low and competitive. The Bulls have similar offensive potential, especially playing at home. This is a long road trip for a conference game for Houston, so I could see a little bit of a letdown to open the game.
College Basketball Prediction: South Florida +6.5