It is the Sweet 16 matchup in the NCAA tournament as the Syracuse Orange take on the Houston Cougars. Get the latest odds and information for this contest at William Hill Sportsbook.
Orange Make Mountaineers Green with Envy
Syracuse took a six-point lead into the half and held on for a 75-72 victory over West Virginia in Round 2 of the NCAA tournament. Buddy Boeheim led the way for Syracuse with 25 points, hitting eight of 17 shots, including six of 13 from the three-point range. Marek Dolezaj, Joseph Girard, and Quincy Guerrier each scored 12 points. Guerrier led the way with seven rebounds and added five blocked shots.
Syracuse is averaging 75.6 ppg, 72nd in the nation while allowing 70.8 points per contest. The Orange are shooting 43.6% from the field and 78.5% from the free-throw line, 13th overall.
Boeheim has been leading the way for Syracuse in the postseason, averaging 28.3 ppg in the conference and tournament games he has played. Boeheim is shooting 60% from the field and 55.8% from the three-point range. He is even hitting 91.7% of his free-throw attempts. Girard and Guerrier are each averaging 10.3 points per game.
Cougars Rally to Down Scarlett Knights
Houston found themselves trailing by three entering the second half but rallied behind Quentin Grimes to defeat the Scarlett Knights, 63-60. Grimes finished with 22 points, hitting seven of 15 shots, including five of nine from the three-point range. He also added nine rebounds which also led Houston. Dejon Jarreau was the only other Cougars player to score in double digits, adding 17 points and five rebounds.
Houston is averaging 77.2 ppg, 53rd in the nation while allowing 57.6 points per game, 10th overall. They are shooting 43.8% from the field, but 35.6% from the three-point range, 86th overall. They are 89th in free-throw percentage is 73.3%. Houston is averaging 38.4 rebounds per game, fifth overall in the nation, and they are second and offensive rebounds and 13.3 per game.
Grimes has been stepping up his game in the conference and NCAA tournaments, averaging 19.2 ppg. He and Marcus Sasser (13.5) had been a real force on the court.
Syracuse:
- 6-0 ATS in their last six games.
- 5-0 ATS in their last five neutral site games.
- 5-0 ATS in their last five neutral site games.
Houston:
- None
I see Houston winning this game, but six points against a team like Syracuse is a lot. Right now, Boeheim may be the best player in the country, as he has been on a tear, and is shooting exceptionally well. I think that helps the Orange to keep this game close. Houston will inevitably when, but not by more than three or four.
Pick: Take Syracuse +6.0 at -110.
The Total:
The total is set at 140.5 and I find that number too low. You have two outstanding scoring teams and both shoot the rock very well. Defensively both teams have looked good, but Houston is not holding a team like Syracuse to 60 points. It is more likely that they score somewhere near 70, which makes the over the easy pick. Syracuse has gone over and 11 of their last 13 neutral site games.
Pick: Go over 140.5 at -110.