Utah State at Houston College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/20/2018

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Fertitta Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Utah State Aggies travel to Fertitta Center to play the Houston Cougars on Thursday, December 20, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 4.5 point favorites.

Utah State heads into this matchup with a mark of 9-2. They currently have a point differential of 18.0 as they are averaging 84.0 points per contest while giving up 66.0 per game. Houston has an overall mark of 10-0. They are averaging 75.3 points per contest and giving up 60.2, which is a point differential of 15.1.

Valuable Utah State Aggies Betting Trends

The Utah State Aggies are 8-3-0 against the spread

The Utah State Aggies are 7-4-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Cougars Betting Trends

The Houston Cougars are 6-3-1 against the spread

The Houston Cougars are 4-6-0 against the over/under

Key Utah State Aggies Injuries

11/09/18 C Klay Stall ACL is out for season
11/09/18 F Roche Grootfaam ACL is out for season

Key Houston Cougars Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Dwayne Brown Jr. averages 11.0 points per game in 19.4 minutes per contest. He averages 0.9 assists per contest and 4.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 52% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%. Sam Merrill comes into this contest averaging 20.2 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is at 91%.

Player Spotlight

Corey Davis Jr. averages 15.7 points per game and he sees the court an average of 31.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.3 rebounds per contest and 3.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 94%. Armoni Brooks averages 15.8 points per game while playing 32.5 minutes per contest. He grabs 7.2 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%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Aggies allow 66.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 63rd in Division 1. They also allow a 37% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 4th and 101st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 29.6 rebounds a game which ranks 12th, and they give up 9.7 assists per contest which puts them in 18th place in the NCAA. They force 12.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 80th in the nation. Utah State averages 84.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 26th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 18.0 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 28th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 123rd in D-1. They average 42.7 rebounds per game and 16.5 assists per contest, which ranks them 11th and 38th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 152nd with 13.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Cougars surrender 60.2 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 38% shooting percentage and a 27% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 48th with 10.8 assists allowed per contest, and 114th with 33.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cougars are 79th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 12.5 per game. Houston is 162nd in the country with 75.3 points per game this year. They are 186th in the D-1 in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 15.1. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 189th in the nation. They are 24th in the country in rebounding with 41.2 boards per game and 87th in assists per contest with 15.2. The Cougars are 303rd in turnovers per game with 11.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Aggies are 39th in the nation in offensive rating with 113.4. In terms of pace they are 62nd in the country with 74.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 50th. As a team they are 20th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 308th in Division 1. Utah State is 181st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.3 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 279th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions. The Cougars are 44th in the country in offensive rating with 113.2. In terms of pace they are 332nd in Division 1 with 66.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 141st. As a team they are 145th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 46% of their shots, ranking 28th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Utah State/Houston college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Houston -4.5

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