Houston Cougars vs Arizona Wildcats Betting Preview/Prop Pick

There are just 16 teams remaining in the NCAA Tournament, and there is a terrific matchup on tap in the South Region. The Houston Cougars meet up with the Arizona Wildcats for a chance to advance to the Elite Eight. 

Houston was given the number five seed in the South Region despite losing just five games all season long. The Cougars were one of the best stories of the NCAA Tournament a year ago, and they are doing it again this year.

Arizona was given the number two overall seed as the Wildcats have lost just three games during the regular season. The Wildcats came out of nowhere to be so great this season, and they are two wins away from the Final Four. 

The Arizona Wildcats are 1.5-point betting favorites over the Houston Cougars in this Sweet 16 matchup on Thursday night. 

Nothing Easy Against Houston

The biggest reason that Houston is back in the Sweet 16 this season is the fact that they have been a terrific defensive team. The Cougars just make life extremely difficult on their opponents, and that toughness and defense will have an impact on this game. 

Houston is not known for being a great offensive team, but they did score 82 points in the first game of the NCAA Tournament. The Cougars have been shooting the ball well during this run, and they will have to make shots to beat Arizona.

Kyler Edwards has been the biggest star in the NCAA Tournament, and he is averaging close to 14 points per game. It will take a team effort on offense, but Houston has the defense to win this game over Arizona. 

Wildcats Have to Get Stops

Arizona has scored at least 85 points in each of their two NCAA Tournament wins, but they have also given up 75 points per game. Scoring points is great, but the Wildcats have to find a way to get stops at some point.

Bennedict Mathurin has been the star for the Wildcats all season long as he is averaging close to 18 points per game. Kerr Kriisa is the player that makes this offense go as he is scoring nearly five goals per game. 

Arizona will try to speed up the tempo of this game, but that’s easier said than done against a tough defense like Houston. 

Cougars Keep Pulling Off Upsets

Arizona has faced little competition all season long as that offense has allowed them to roll over their opponents. The struggles against TCU should be a warning sign for the Wildcats, though, as they are going to get guarded in this game.

The Houston Cougars do not look like a team that is a threat to get to the Elite Eight on paper, but few teams play harder than they do. Houston is comfortable winning games on the defensive side of the floor, and that plays in the NCAA Tournament. 

It’s been a great season for the Arizona Wildcats, but it’s going to end with a disappointing loss in the Sweet 16. Bet the Houston Cougars moneyline as they pull off another upset and advance to the Elite Eight by stunning the Arizona Wildcats.

Prop Pick

Houston (-110) OVER 72.5 Points

Arizona is allowing 66.7 points per game on defense, which ranks No. 108 in the nation. That average increases to 75.6 points per game over the Wildcats’ last five games. Scores have gone OVER in seven of Arizona’s last eight games overall.

With Dunkel predicting a Houston victory by the score of 81-77, take the Cougars (-110) to finish OVER their Vegas team total of 72.5 points against the Wildcats.

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