SMU at Houston Expert NCAA Basketball Picks 3/7/2019

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Fertitta Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The SMU Mustangs head to Fertitta Center to take on the Houston Cougars on Thursday, March 7, 2019. The opening line for this game has Houston as 13 point favorites.

SMU heads into this matchup with a mark of 13-15. They currently have a point differential of 2.1 as they are averaging 71.4 points per contest while giving up 69.3 per game. Houston has an overall mark of 27-2. They are averaging 75.7 points per contest and giving up 60.8, which is a point differential of 14.9.

Valuable SMU Mustangs Betting Trends

The SMU Mustangs are 10-17-1 against the spread this season

The SMU Mustangs are 14-12-2 against the over/under this year

Important Houston Cougars Betting Trends

The Houston Cougars are 18-9-2 against the spread this season

The Houston Cougars are 12-17-0 against the over/under this year

Key SMU Mustangs Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Houston Cougars Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Jahmal McMurray comes into this game averaging 17.8 points per contest while playing 32.2 minutes per night this year. He grabs 2.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.4 assists per game. His FG percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is 83%. Ethan Chargois averages 12.0 points per contest in 27.7 minutes per game. He averages 1.8 assists per game and 6.5 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% for the season while his free throw percentage is 69%.

Player Spotlight

Corey Davis Jr. scores 16.1 points per contest while playing 32.3 minutes per game. He hauls in 3.3 rebounds per contest and has 2.8 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 85%. Armoni Brooks averages 13.5 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 30.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 6.4 rebounds per game and has 0.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 65%.

Useful Team Statistics

SMU averages 71.4 points per contest, which is 212th in D-1. Their average scoring margin is 2.1 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a unit, which has them ranked 241st. From 3-point territory they shoot 33%, which is good for 256th in the nation. They average 36.3 boards per contest and 14.0 assists per game, which ranks them 129th and 130th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 329th with 10.8 per game. The Mustangs allow 69.3 points per contest, which is 128th in the NCAA. They also surrender a 43% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 108th and 241st in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 33.9 rebounds a game which ranks 121st, and they allow 15.2 assists per game which puts them in 311th place in the country. They force 11.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 65th in Division 1.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 102nd in the nation with 75.7 points per contest this season. They are 167th in the country in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 14.9. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 108th in the NCAA. They are 8th in D-1 in rebounding with 41.0 boards per contest and 58th in assists per game with 15.1. The Cougars are 301st in turnovers per contest with 11.6. The Cougars give up 60.8 points per game, which ranks them 6th in Division 1. Their defense surrenders a 37% shooting percentage and a 28% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 2nd and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 24th with 10.6 dimes allowed per game and 95th with 33.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Cougars are 106th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 12.4 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Mustangs are 91st in the nation in offensive rating with 107.5. In terms of pace they are 312th in the country with 66.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 236th. As a team they are 251st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 98th in Division 1. SMU is 330th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 305th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions. The Cougars are 36th in the country in offensive rating with 111.9. In terms of pace they are 270th in Division 1 with 67.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 116th. As a team they are 120th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shots, ranking 65th in the nation.

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

Guy's Pick: Take SMU +13

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