Saint Louis at Houston College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/16/2018

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Fertitta Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Saint Louis Billikens travel to Fertitta Center to play the Houston Cougars on Sunday, December 16, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 8 point favorites.

Saint Louis comes into this game with an overall record of 7-2. They currently have a point differential of 5.3 as they are averaging 67.0 points per game while giving up 61.7 per contest. Houston has an overall mark of 9-0. They are averaging 76.1 points per contest and giving up 59.8, which is a point differential of 16.3.

Valuable Saint Louis Billikens Betting Trends

The Saint Louis Billikens are 3-6-0 against the spread

The Saint Louis Billikens are 1-8-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Cougars Betting Trends

The Houston Cougars are 6-2-1 against the spread

The Houston Cougars are 3-6-0 against the over/under

Key Saint Louis Billikens Injuries

12/15/18 G Dion Wiley Ankle is doubtful Sunday vs Houston U
12/15/18 G Tramaine Isabell Leg is questionable Sunday vs Houston U
11/09/18 F Elliott Welmer Foot is out indefinitely

Key Houston Cougars Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Javon Bess comes into this contest averaging 14.3 points per game while playing 34.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 81%. Tramaine Isabell averages 12.1 points per game in 29.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.5 assists per contest and 4.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 39% for the year while his free throw percentage is 73%.

Player Spotlight

Armoni Brooks averages 16.1 points per game while playing 32.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.1 rebounds per game and has 1.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 50%. Corey Davis Jr. averages 15.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.0 rebounds per contest and 4.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 92%.

Useful Team Statistics

Saint Louis averages 67.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 319th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 5.3 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 269th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 230th in the nation. They average 40.6 rebounds per game and 13.7 assists per game, which ranks them 39th and 188th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 64th with 15.2 per game. The Billikens allow 61.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the country. They also allow a 38% shooting percentage and a 27% average from behind the arc, ranking them 21st and 12th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.4 rebounds a game which ranks 146th and they give up 10.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 41st place in Division 1. They force 13.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 151st in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 148th in the country with 76.1 points per game this year. They are 187th in Division 1 in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 16.3. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 179th in the nation. They are 27th in the NCAA in rebounding with 41.2 boards per game, and 66th in assists per contest with 15.8. The Cougars are 311th in turnovers per game with 11.4. The Cougars surrender 59.8 points per contest, which ranks them 15th in D-1. Their defense allows a 38% shooting percentage and a 27% average from 3-point range, ranking them 19th and 8th in those defensive statistics. They rank 82nd with 11.3 assists allowed per contest and 108th with 33.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cougars are 110th in country in forcing turnovers with 13.0 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Billikens are 313th in the nation in offensive rating with 95.4. In terms of pace they are 210th in the country with 70.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 290th. As a team they are 294th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 302nd in Division 1. Saint Louis is 49th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 18.7 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 288th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.4 times per 100 possessions. The Cougars are 29th in the country in offensive rating with 114.4. In terms of pace they are 332nd in Division 1 with 66.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 139th. As a team they are 142nd in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 47% of their shots, ranking 23rd in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Saint Louis/Houston college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Houston -8

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