Connecticut vs Houston predictions 1/23/20 College Basketball Picks & Tips

Game: Connecticut Huskies vs Houston Cougars

Date: Thursday, January 23, 2020

Location: Fertitta Center in Houston, TX

TV: ESPNU

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -9

Total/Over-Under: 132.5

The Connecticut Huskies travel to Fertitta Center to play the Houston Cougars on Thursday, January 23, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 9 point favorites.

Connecticut comes into this game with an overall record of 10-7. They currently have a point differential of 6.7 as they are averaging 71.2 points per game while giving up 64.5 per contest. Houston has an overall mark of 14-4. They are averaging 75.3 points per contest and giving up 64.8, which is a point differential of 10.5.

Valuable Connecticut Huskies Betting Trends

The Connecticut Huskies are 11-6-0 against the spread

The Connecticut Huskies are 6-11-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Cougars Betting Trends

The Houston Cougars are 11-7-0 against the spread

The Houston Cougars are 10-8-0 against the over/under

Key Connecticut Huskies Injuries

01/12/20 F Tyler Polley ACL is out for season

Key Houston Cougars Injuries

11/16/19 F J'Wan Roberts Hand is out for season

Player Spotlight

Christian Vital comes into this contest averaging 14.2 points per game while playing 29.7 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 88%. Josh Carlton averages 10.0 points per game in 24.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.6 assists per contest and 6.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 51%.

Player Spotlight

Quentin Grimes averages 12.8 points per game while playing 29.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.8 rebounds per game and has 2.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 67%. Caleb Mills averages 12.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 21.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.4 rebounds per contest and 1.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 71%.

Useful Team Statistics

Connecticut averages 71.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 184th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 6.7 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 258th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 194th in the nation. They average 38.9 rebounds per game and 12.9 assists per game, which ranks them 58th and 207th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 96th with 14.4 per game. The Huskies allow 64.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 69th in the country. They also allow a 40% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 55th and 137th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.7 rebounds a game which ranks 212th and they give up 11.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 84th place in Division 1. They force 15.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 294th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 87th in the country with 75.3 points per game this year. They are 177th in Division 1 in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 10.5. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 130th in the nation. They are 3rd in the NCAA in rebounding with 42.9 boards per game, and 144th in assists per contest with 13.6. The Cougars are 297th in turnovers per game with 12.0. The Cougars surrender 64.8 points per contest, which ranks them 79th in D-1. Their defense allows a 38% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 27th and 155th in those defensive statistics. They rank 165th with 12.3 assists allowed per contest and 43rd with 31.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cougars are 26th in country in forcing turnovers with 11.7 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Huskies are 200th in the nation in offensive rating with 100.6. In terms of pace they are 241st in the country with 68.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 274th. As a team they are 256th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 252nd in Division 1. Connecticut is 135th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.2 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 315th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions. The Cougars are 18th in the country in offensive rating with 110.9. In terms of pace they are 272nd in Division 1 with 67.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 201st. As a team they are 175th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 273rd in the nation.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Houston -9

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