Miami vs. Houston Prediction & Odds
March Madness continues on Friday night with a Sweet 16 matchup between 5-seed Miami and 1-seed Houston at 7:15 p.m. ET. Is 7.5 too much to lay with the Cougars?
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
643 Miami Hurricanes (+7.5) at 644 Houston Cougars (-7.5); o/u 138
7:15 p.m. ET, Friday, March 23, 2023
T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Miami vs. Houston Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that 66% of public bettors are currently backing Miami when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Miami Hurricanes Notes
Nisine Poplar (back) will likely be a game-time decision for Friday’s matchup with Houston, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports. Poplar was able to practice on Thursday, and he will be in Miami’s starting lineup “if he feels okay tomorrow”, according to head coach Jim Larranaga. The 6-foot-5 sophomore, who suffered a back injury during Sunday’s game against Indiana, has appeared in all 34 games this season (34 starts), averaging 8.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals on 23.2 minutes per game. If Poplar is unable to suit up on Friday, the Hurricanes will likely look for additional contributions from Bensley Joseph and Harlond Beverly.
Houston Cougars Notes
Marcus Sasser said Tuesday that he expects to be “at least 90 percent” for Friday’s game versus Miami, Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle reports. Sasser will almost certainly play Friday despite still being somewhat affected by his groin injury. However, the senior guard will have had five full days to recover before the Sweet 16. After dropping 22 points against Auburn, Sasser should be expected to produce close to his normal output.
Miami vs. Houston CBB Betting Trends
Under is 4-1 in Cougars last 5 NCAA Tournament games
Under is 7-3 in Cougars last 10 neutral site games
Under is 43-21-1 in Cougars last 65 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600
Under is 6-1 in Hurricanes last 7 NCAA Tournament games
Miami vs. Houston CBB Prediction:
The Hurricanes are 5-1 against the spread in their last six NCAA tournament games, are 8-3 against the number in their last 11 games versus a team with a winning record and are 36-16-1 at the betting window in their last 53 games versus a team with a winning percentage above .600. On the other side, the Cougars are just 2-6 against the spread in their last eight games overall, are 2-5 against the number in their last seven games following a win and are 1-6 at the betting window in their last seven games following an ATS win.
CBB BETTING PREDICTION: MIAMI HURRICANES +7.5
