Syracuse Orange vs. Houston Cougars Betting Preview
25 March 2021
Syracuse was given the number 11 seed in the Midwest, but they have pulled off a pair of upsets to reach the Sweet 16. The Orange eliminated San Diego State in the First Round and then won a nail-biter against West Virginia.
Houston is the number two seed in the Midwest, and they had little trouble with Cleveland State in the opener. The Cougars needed a late rally to get past Rutgers last weekend, setting the stage for this matchup.
The Houston Cougars are six-point favorites over the Syracuse Orange.
Orange Lighting it Up
The Syracuse Orange have scored at least 75 points per game in the NCAA Tournament, and much of that damage has been done on the perimeter. Coach Jim Boeheim has a roster full of shooters, and the best one is his son.
Buddy Boeheim leads the team with 18 points per game, but he has been even better during this Cinderella run. Syracuse is going to take a ton of three-point shots on Saturday, and they are a nightmare to defend when making them.
On defense, the Orange will once again be playing their 2-3 zone that has given opponents trouble over the past few decades. Syracuse will be facing a Houston team that can shoot well, but the Orange have plenty of length on the perimeter.
Houston Has to Defend
If the Houston Cougars are going to advance to the next round, then they will have to do it with terrific defense. Houston is giving up just 57 points per game this season, but they haven’t faced an offense like Syracuse all season long.
Quentin Grimes leads this Houston team with 18.1 points per game, and he will need to take over this game against Syracuse. The Cougars are shooting better than 36 percent from the three-point line, and they will have to get hot against Syracuse.
The Cougars will try to score before the Syracuse defense is set up, but that’s easier said than done. Houston will have to find a way to grind it out if they are going to knock off a red-hot Syracuse team.
Syracuse Shoots Its Way to Elite Eight
Houston was nearly upset by Rutgers in the Second Round, and they just haven’t been playing their best. If the Cougars are not making shots on Saturday, then it could be a long night for the Houston offense.
Syracuse has been on fire so far in the NCAA Tournament, and there is no reason to think that they will go cold against Houston. The Orange are playing with a ton of momentum, and that momentum will carry them to another impressive win.
The Cinderella run continues for Syracuse as they advance to the Elite Eight with another upset. Bet the Syracuse Orange money line over the Houston Cougars on Saturday.
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