East Carolina at Houston NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/23/2019

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Fertitta Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The East Carolina Pirates travel to Fertitta Center to play the Houston Cougars on Wednesday, January 23, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 20.5 point favorites.

East Carolina comes into this game with an overall record of 8-9. They currently have a point differential of -0.3 as they are averaging 70.1 points per game while giving up 70.4 per contest. Houston has an overall mark of 18-1. They are averaging 74.6 points per contest and giving up 60.5, which is a point differential of 14.2.

Valuable East Carolina Pirates Betting Trends

The East Carolina Pirates are 10-6-1 against the spread

The East Carolina Pirates are 7-10-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Cougars Betting Trends

The Houston Cougars are 12-6-1 against the spread

The Houston Cougars are 8-11-0 against the over/under

Key East Carolina Pirates Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Houston Cougars Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Jayden Gardner comes into this contest averaging 19.8 points per game while playing 30.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 9.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 76%. Shawn Williams averages 12.9 points per game in 35.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.8 assists per contest and 2.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 35% for the year while his free throw percentage is 95%.

Player Spotlight

Corey Davis Jr. averages 15.2 points per game while playing 31.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.4 rebounds per game and has 3.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 92%. Armoni Brooks averages 14.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.5 rebounds per contest and 1.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is 54%.

Useful Team Statistics

East Carolina averages 70.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 266th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is -0.3 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 245th. Behind the arc they shoot 28% which is good for 345th in the nation. They average 38.2 rebounds per game and 12.9 assists per game, which ranks them 71st and 226th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 29th with 15.6 per game. The Pirates allow 70.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 150th in the country. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 28% average from behind the arc, ranking them 112th and 10th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.8 rebounds a game which ranks 173rd and they give up 11.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 65th place in Division 1. They force 14.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 242nd in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 153rd in the country with 74.6 points per game this year. They are 238th in Division 1 in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 14.2. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 219th in the nation. They are 14th in the NCAA in rebounding with 41.1 boards per game, and 81st in assists per contest with 15.2. The Cougars are 316th in turnovers per game with 11.4. The Cougars surrender 60.5 points per contest, which ranks them 6th in D-1. Their defense allows a 36% shooting percentage and a 27% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 22nd with 10.4 assists allowed per contest and 162nd with 34.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cougars are 141st in country in forcing turnovers with 13.2 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Pirates are 305th in the nation in offensive rating with 96.2. In terms of pace they are 86th in the country with 72.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 307th. As a team they are 301st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 332nd in Division 1. East Carolina is 47th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 18.6 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 319th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.2 times per 100 possessions. The Cougars are 65th in the country in offensive rating with 110. In terms of pace they are 283rd in Division 1 with 67.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 205th. As a team they are 198th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 44% of their shots, ranking 68th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's East Carolina/Houston college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Houston -20.5

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