The Houston Cougars have won nine of their last 11 games by double digits. Will Houston add another massive win, on the road, against the Cincinnati Bearcats? Keep reading for a full sports betting analysis as we will look in-depth at the NCAAB odds.
Houston Cougars vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
Sunday, February 6, 2022 – 6:00 PM EST at Fifth Third Arena
The Houston Cougars expected to be back in the mix of potential NCAA Tournament Champions this season. After all, last year’s Final Four team proved exactly what this team was capable of.
However, Houston lost talent in the NBA Draft and lost talent due to injury. Yet, here they are, still ranked sixth in the nation and holding a 19-2 record. Houston is currently on an 11-game winning streak and hasn’t lost a game in the AAC this season. Sitting at 8-0, it’s going to be hard for Cincinnati to defeat Houston, even at home.
The Cincinnati Bearcats are only shooting an effective field goal percentage of 47.9 percent while hitting just 31.8 percent of threes and 48 percent of twos this season. The Bearcats also don’t get to the line at a high rate but are able to limit turnovers and rebound well on the offensive glass, earning 31.4 percent offensive rebounds.
However, Houston is holding opponents to a 42.3 percent effective field goal percentage and limiting opponents to 28.2 percent from three and 42.4 percent from inside the arc. Right now, Houston is putting up quality numbers, just like last year, and could be in play for another big run in the NCAA Tournament.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s only early February. I know.
VIDEO PICKS: Watch BMR’s Free Expert Sports Betting Picks for Today
Cincinnati is also a solid defense and is holding teams to a 41.7 percent effective field goal percentage, which is the best in the nation. Teams are hitting just 30.2 percent from deep and 40.1 percent from inside. The ways to beat Cincinnati are by earning a bunch of second chances on the glass and getting to the foul line.
Houston might not get to the foul line at the highest rate, but the Cougars will likely get there more often than the Bearcats. Meanwhile, Houston averages 38.5 percent offensive rebounds, which is second-best in the nation. Therefore, you can expect the Cougars to find ways to score, despite Cincinnati’s very good defense.
Houston is still shooting 34.8 percent from three and 54.2 percent from inside this season. From the foul line, Houston is shooting just 66.2 percent, but overall, Houston will rarely take contented shots.
Prediction
Therefore, I’m going to roll with Houston -6, on the road. Many AAC teams haven’t even been able to hang with Houston. Houston has won by double digits in nine of their last 11 games. Houston has been elite on the offensive end and elite on the defensive end. Despite Cincinnati also being elite defensively, the offense just isn’t going to be able to compete with Houston’s. Again, for my college basketball pick, give me Houston -6.
NCAAB Pick: Houston -6 (-114) with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
