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The ninth seed, Auburn Tigers (21-2,10-8 SEC) aren’t any strangers to the NCAA Match. Though they’ve by no means gained a Nationwide Title, the Tigers superior to the 2019 Remaining 4, and have twelve whole NCAA Match appearances. The Tigers are coming off a formidable first spherical win over Iowa, 83-75. The Houston Cougars (32-3, 17-2 American) are coming off a primary spherical win in opposition to Northern Kentucky, 63-52. Houston is ranked #2 within the nation and have by no means gained a NCAA Match Championship. Very like Auburn, they made it to the 2021-2022 regional ultimate, and superior to the event twenty-four instances. These two groups will play on Saturday at 7:10 EDT, within the Midwest Area, situated in Birmingham, Alabama. The matchup will air on TBS. If you’re searching for the very best betting odds, right here is info to know:
*All strains are taken from Draft Kings*
Cash Line:
Houston: -250
Auburn: +210
Over/Below: 132
Over: -110
Below: -110
Unfold:
Houston: -5.5(-110)
Auburn: +5.5 (-110)
Houston
Houston had an unimpressive win in opposition to sixteenth seed Northern Kentucky, 63-52 Thursday. The Cougars misplaced Marcus Sasser all through the sport because of harm, who solely shot 25 p.c from the 3-point line. This workforce did out-rebound NKU 42-33 and shot 49 p.c from the sector. Houston dedicated 17 turnovers and had been in a position to safe the cash line.
Auburn
Auburn had a formidable win over eighth seed Iowa 83-75, hitting the over in spherical one of many NCAA Match. They coated the unfold by -1.5. Surprisingly, Auburn shot 36.4 % from the three-point vary, and 46 p.c from the sector. Though they had been outrebounded 44-38, they had been in a position to safe that cash line.
Houston Cougars
The Houston Cougars are coming off an unbelievable season, ending 32-3 total, and 17-1 within the AAC. Houston now has six straight seasons of 20 plus wins and not more than 8 losses in every of these seasons. Final yr, the Cougars misplaced to Villanova within the Elite Eight. Nonetheless, they’re poised to make a deep run once more this yr, and have the expertise to make it, if wholesome. Regardless that Houston performed unbelievable this season, they’re solely 1-1 in opposition to prime 25 groups this yr. They gained in opposition to Virginia, 69-61, and misplaced to Alabama, 71-65. Houston began their season with 9 straight wins and gained 22 of their final 25 video games. The Cougars ranked thirty eighth in power of schedule and went 9-1 of their final ten video games. Houston has an unbelievable protection that ranks #2 within the nation in factors allowed. This groups permits solely 56.4 factors per recreation and holds opponents to 27.33% on three-point capturing. This Houston workforce has a slower tempo and led the nation in opponent area aim share of 36.1. They excel defensively each on the perimeter and contained in the paint. Led by Senior guard Marcus Sasser, it is a full workforce that performs very effectively on each side of the ball. They rank inside the prime 100 in assists, and proper outdoors the highest 100 in factors per recreation. Houston has been a constant program over time, and have extra stars, Jarace Walker and J’Wan Roberts to hold them by way of.
Auburn Tigers
The Auburn Tigers had an attention-grabbing season to say the least. Head Coach Bruce Pearl’s workforce struggled at instances. Very like Houston, Auburn has expertise within the NCAA Match. They’ve made 12 event appearances, and misplaced within the second spherical final yr. They completed 21-12 in a aggressive SEC, which resulted in a seventh total convention end. The Tigers completed 10-8 within the convention, six video games behind Alabama. Auburn began off the season on fireplace, successful their first eight video games. Of their ultimate 24 video games, they completed simply 12-12. This system had spectacular wins over Arkansas, and Tennessee. Nonetheless, they’re 2-3 in opposition to prime 25 groups, and took two key losses in opposition to Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee. After analyzing all of the wins and hard losses, it’s vital to notice the Tigers ranked eighth in power in schedule. They rank center of the pack in factors per recreation, assists per recreation, and rank 321st in three- pointers made at 31.5 %. This workforce exhibits defensive strengths, nevertheless not as robust as Houston. They rank prime 100 in factors allowed, thirtieth in opponent area aim share, and rank prime 5 in opponent three-point share. Sophomore Johni Broome has offered protection down beneath, rating prime 65 in blocks. The Auburn Tigers beat Iowa within the first spherical of the event. Nonetheless, they haven’t been in a position to shut out shut video games, particularly in opposition to West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt. They rank eighty fifth, with a degree differential of ONLY +5.7 factors.
Houston
Marcus Sasser (Guard, Groin) Recreation Time Choice. Sasser claims he’s “100%” enjoying vs. Auburn as of three/18/2023.
Mylik Wilson (Guard, non-injury associated) Out for the Season
Ramon Walker Jr. (Guard, private) Out for the Season
Auburn
Probability Westry (Guard, Knee) Out for the Season
Houston
Senior guard Marcus Sasser has arguably been one in all their prime gamers this season. He’s the ACC participant of the yr for a motive. Sasser is averaging 16.7 factors per recreation, which ranks 127th within the nation. He provides over three assists per recreation, together with a number of rebounds. Marcus is capturing a robust 38.2 % from the 3-point this season, and 84 free throw share. He provides protection to this workforce, averaging 1.6 steals per recreation. He scored greater than 20 factors six instances in a row this season, and had his greatest efficiency in opposition to ECU within the American Athletic Convention Semifinal. He contributed 30 factors on 60 area aim share, and shot 100% from the free throw line. He knocked down 4-9 three- level pictures. Nonetheless, Sasser struggled with a latest groin harm, and was held out of Houston’s loss in opposition to Memphis. He tried to make a return within the first spherical in opposition to Northern Kentucky. Nonetheless, he was nonetheless injured, and completed with 5 factors on 2-5 capturing. If he’s 100%, I belief this Houston workforce transferring ahead.
Junior Ahead J’Wan Roberts leads Houston in rebounds with 7.9 boards per recreation. He provides a stable 10.4 factors per recreation, and shoots 64 % from the sector. He additionally averages greater than 1 block per recreation.
Anticipate Freshman Ahead Jarace Walker to make an impression within the event run. He provides 11.2 factors per recreation, with 6.6 rebounds, and shoots 47.8 p.c from the sector. He offered three blocks Within the American Athletic Convention Championship Remaining loss in opposition to Memphis. Walker additionally has 9 blocks in his final 5 video games.
Auburn
Sophomore Ahead Johni Broome leads the tigers in 14.2 factors per recreation, which ranks 150+. As well as, he’s tied 63rd in rebounds with 8.5. Additionally, Broome shoots effectively over 50 p.c from the sector. Broome was extraordinarily spectacular within the first-round win in opposition to Iowa, including 19 factors and 5 blocks. He shot 100% from the three-point line and snagged 12 rebounds. Broome stands at 6 foot 10, and averages 2.4 blocks per recreation. He’s a stable rim protector, that may play wonderful inside protection, and may rating. He’s not the very best three-point shooter, solely averaging 30 p.c.
Auburn has 4 gamers who common double digits in factors, together with guard Wendell Inexperienced Jr, ahead Jaylin Williams, and guard Allen Flanigan. They aren’t the best 3-point shooters. Nonetheless, all of them shoot above 44 p.c from the sector, and supply defensive stability.
• Houston averaged 75 factors per recreation throughout the common season.
• Auburn averaged 75 factors per recreation throughout the common season.
• Houston ranks 2nd in factors allowed with 56.4 opponents factors per recreation.
• Auburn ranks 98th in factors allowed with 67.3 opponents factors per recreation.
• Houston ranks nineteenth in rebounds per recreation with 38.9
• Auburn ranks 88th in rebounds per recreation with 36.3
• Houston ranks 1st in level differential at +18.3
• Auburn ranks eighty fifth in level differential at +5.7
• Houston ranks twenty fifth in blocked pictures with 4.7 per recreation.
• Auburn ranks thirteenth in blocked pictures with 5.1 per recreation.
• Houston averages 34.5 % from the 3-point, whereas Auburn averages 31.4 % past the arc.
SPREAD: Auburn + 5.5
–Houston coated the unfold in simply TWO of their final 10 video games.
–Auburn coated the unfold in simply FOUR of their final 10 video games.
–Houston has a 18-17-0 file ATS this season.
–Auburn has a 16-17-0 file ATS this season.
– Auburn coated the unfold +10 in opposition to the #1 program within the nation, Alabama.
Each groups proved why they need to be within the event. Houston is an elite workforce, rating within the prime defensive class. Auburn holds their very own on the defensive entrance. If Auburn can sustain on the rebounds, restrict turnovers, and make sensible pictures, they’ll sustain. Neither of those groups are extremely ranked so far as 3-point share goes. Give me Auburn +5.5
MONEY LINE: Houston
–Houston gained the Cash Line 9 out of their final 10 video games
–Auburn gained the Cash Line 4 of their final 10 video games.
If Marcus Sasser is absolutely wholesome, as he claims, I absolutely count on Houston to win this recreation. They’re a well-rounded workforce, with expertise on each side. They rank prime 5 in factors allowed, and the Cougars are dominant on the glass. They’ve an unbelievable level differential, and position gamers that come collectively and let their protection communicate for themselves.
OVER/UNDER- Below
–Houston Avg +/- vs O/U Line: -2.33
–Auburn Avg +/- vs O/U Line: –0.21
–Houston Total O/U Document: 16-19-0
– Auburn O/U Document: 20-13-0
–Houston hit the UNDER in 6 of their final 10 video games.
–Auburn hit the OVER in 6 of their final 10 video games.
132 is what I anticipated for the over/ beneath. Each groups play unbelievable protection and aren’t three-point threats. Anticipate each groups to use stress and play zones to cowl the within paint.
For Extra Betting Information & Recreation Predictions, Comply with us at @BallislifeBets
Sara Jane is a full-time content material creator, specializing in each Faculty Basketball, the NBA, NFL, and author of Ballislife.com. Don’t neglect to comply with her on Twitter: @GGirlSports
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