Houston at Connecticut NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 2/14/2019

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Harry A. Gampel Pavilion

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Cougars travel to Harry A. Gampel Pavilion to play the Connecticut Huskies on Thursday, February 14, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 8 point favorites.

Houston comes into this game with an overall record of 23-1. They currently have a point differential of 14.5 as they are averaging 75.2 points per game while giving up 60.7 per contest. Connecticut has an overall mark of 13-11. They are averaging 77.2 points per contest and giving up 71.3, which is a point differential of 5.9.

Valuable Houston Cougars Betting Trends

The Houston Cougars are 16-7-1 against the spread

The Houston Cougars are 11-13-0 against the over/under

Important Connecticut Huskies Betting Trends

The Connecticut Huskies are 14-10-0 against the spread

The Connecticut Huskies are 12-10-2 against the over/under

Key Houston Cougars Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Connecticut Huskies Injuries

02/13/19 G Alterique Gilbert Shoulder is questionable Thursday vs Houston U
02/09/19 G Jalen Adams Ankle is out 4-6 weeks
01/05/19 F Kwintin Williams Suspension is out indefinitely
01/04/19 F Kassoum Yakwe Foot is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Corey Davis Jr. comes into this contest averaging 15.5 points per game while playing 32.2 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 89%. Armoni Brooks averages 13.8 points per game in 30.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.9 assists per contest and 6.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 39% for the year while his free throw percentage is 63%.

Player Spotlight

Tarin Smith averages 8.6 points per game while playing 26.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.8 rebounds per game and has 2.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 66%. Christian Vital averages 14.0 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.1 rebounds per contest and 2.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 75.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 123rd in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 14.5 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 205th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 199th in the nation. They average 41.8 rebounds per game and 14.7 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 85th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 299th with 11.6 per game. The Cougars allow 60.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 6th in the country. They also allow a 36% shooting percentage and a 27% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.0 rebounds a game which ranks 127th and they give up 10.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 21st place in Division 1. They force 12.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 86th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Connecticut is 74th in the country with 77.2 points per game this year. They are 109th in Division 1 in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 5.9. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 128th in the nation. They are 102nd in the NCAA in rebounding with 37.0 boards per game, and 213th in assists per contest with 13.1. The Huskies are 132nd in turnovers per game with 13.5. The Huskies surrender 71.3 points per contest, which ranks them 182nd in D-1. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 186th and 55th in those defensive statistics. They rank 142nd with 12.6 assists allowed per contest and 97th with 33.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Huskies are 276th in country in forcing turnovers with 14.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Cougars have an offensive rating of 110.9, which is ranked 49th. They are 279th in college basketball in pace with 67.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 171st. As a unit they are 157th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 44% of their shot attempts, ranking 60th in D-1. Houston is 310th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Connecticut is 188th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.2 times per 100 possessions. The Huskies have an offensive rating of 107.9, which is ranked 83rd. They are 104th in D-1 in pace with 71.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 134th. As a unit they are 150th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 238th in the country.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Connecticut +8

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