Published Mar 12, 2:23pm ET by
Gabriel Kozlow - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Mar 12, 2:23pm ET
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Updated Mar 12, 2:23pm ET
The Houston Cougars face a tough test when they take on the BYU Cougars in the Big 12 Quarterfinals at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. We’ll see which Cougars move on to the semifinals and improve their March Madness odds in the NCAA Tournament.
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| HOUSTON COUGARS | -535 |
| BYU COUGARS | +400 |
BYU brings an efficient offense, which helped lead the Cougars to a 23-10 record and a 9-9 mark in the Big 12. They are averaging 84.5 PPG while shooting 48% from the field, along with 13.7 assists per game and 7.2 steals per game. They will face a rival that allows only 62.7 PPG, so this should be an interesting matchup to watch.
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Their elite offense is fueled by one of the best players in the country, AJ Dybantsa, who is averaging 25.2 PPG on 51.7% shooting. They also have Robert Wright III and Richie Saunders, both averaging 18 PPG, giving BYU a true triple threat on offense.
Houston established itself as one of the powerhouses in college basketball this year. The Cougars finished with a 26-5 record and went 14-4 in conference play, placing them right behind Arizona. They already have a guaranteed spot in the tournament this year, but a conference title would improve their March Madness outlook even more.
They face a true test against BYU’s offensive threat, so their defense will need to come up with a solid game plan if they want to cover the -8.5 spread. Chris Cenac Jr. and Joseph Tugler will both have their hands full on the boards as they try to slow down their opponent.
Both teams will be part of the March Madness bracket this year, but where they end up will be determined by their resilience. This is a true test for both teams, so the winner will gain plenty of confidence moving forward.
Houston is -9.5 on the spread with an over/under of 145.5. The Moneyline has Houston at -535 and BYU at +400. We would actually like to see BYU pull off the upset through its offensive efficiency, and we like the Cougars on the moneyline at +400.
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Pick
BYU Cougars (+400)
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