Houston vs Connecticut Predictions, College Basketball Picks, Odds 3/5/2020

Game: Houston Cougars vs Connecticut Huskies

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2020

Location: Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, CT

TV: CBSS

Odds/Point Spread: Connecticut +1.5

Total/Over-Under: 131.5

The Houston Cougars travel to Harry A. Gampel Pavilion to play the Connecticut Huskies on Thursday, March 5, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 1.5 point favorites.

Houston comes into this game with an overall record of 22-7. They currently have a point differential of 10.8 as they are averaging 72.6 points per game while giving up 61.8 per contest. Connecticut has an overall mark of 17-12. They are averaging 72.4 points per contest and giving up 66.6, which is a point differential of 5.9.

Valuable Houston Cougars Betting Trends

The Houston Cougars are 16-13-0 against the spread

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

Important Connecticut Huskies Betting Trends

The Connecticut Huskies are 18-11-0 against the spread

The Connecticut Huskies are 15-14-0 against the over/under

Key Houston Cougars Injuries

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

Key Connecticut Huskies Injuries

02/28/20 G Sidney Wilson Suspension is out indefinitely
02/16/20 F Akok Akok Achilles is out for season
01/12/20 F Tyler Polley ACL is out for season

Player Spotlight

Caleb Mills comes into this contest averaging 13.3 points per game while playing 22.3 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 2.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 39% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 73%. Quentin Grimes averages 11.5 points per game in 27.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.6 assists per contest and 3.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 66%.

Player Spotlight

Christian Vital averages 15.6 points per game while playing 32.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.4 rebounds per game and has 2.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is at 90%. James Bouknight averages 13.0 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 25.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.0 rebounds per contest and 1.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 72.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 129th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 10.8 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 239th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 153rd in the nation. They average 41.4 rebounds per game and 13.1 assists per game, which ranks them 4th and 182nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 275th with 12.0 per game. The Cougars allow 61.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 11th in the country. They also allow a 38% shooting percentage and a 29% average from behind the arc, ranking them 6th and 12th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.7 rebounds a game which ranks 40th and they give up 11.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 62nd place in Division 1. They force 12.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 83rd in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Connecticut is 134th in the country with 72.4 points per game this year. They are 286th in Division 1 in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is 5.9. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 197th in the nation. They are 64th in the NCAA in rebounding with 38.0 boards per game, and 185th in assists per contest with 13.0. The Huskies are 70th in turnovers per game with 14.3. The Huskies surrender 66.6 points per contest, which ranks them 100th in D-1. Their defense allows a 41% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 93rd and 189th in those defensive statistics. They rank 116th with 11.9 assists allowed per contest and 182nd with 35.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Huskies are 316th in country in forcing turnovers with 15.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Cougars have an offensive rating of 108.6, which is ranked 40th. They are 303rd in college basketball in pace with 66.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 250th. As a unit they are 220th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 243rd in D-1. Houston is 294th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Connecticut is 137th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17 times per 100 possessions. The Huskies have an offensive rating of 101.6, which is ranked 179th. They are 209th in D-1 in pace with 68.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 48% is 282nd. As a unit they are 247th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 215th in the country.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Connecticut +1.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here