The No. 3 Houston Cougars (31-3) will be 12.5-point favorites in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at Bank of Oklahoma Center when they take on the No. 14 Georgia State Panthers (24-9). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 141.5 points and action begins at 7:20 p.m. ET on Friday, March 22, 2019.
Georgia State Panthers vs. Houston Cougars Betting Odds
In their last matchup, the Cougars lost to the 24th-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats, 69-57, while the Panthers beat the UT Arlington Mavericks, 73-64.
Georgia State played a nearly perfect game. They had a ridiculous free throw rate of 0.500 (above their season average of 0.228) and a turnover percentage of 13.3 (better than their season average of 14.9). UT Arlington was 0.172 and 16.4, respectively, for those same stats. Houston, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 9.1 (better than their season average of 14.4). Houston rallied around Armoni Brooks, who finished with 17 points and five rebounds. Malik Benlevi fueled Georgia State with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Vegas is extremely accurate when setting the total of Panthers games, with an even split between overs and unders. Georgia State comes into the game with records of 24-9 straight up (SU) and 16-14-2 against the spread (ATS).
Vegas tends to place the total high when the Cougars are involved, as 58.8 percent of their games have gone under the total. Moreover, Houston owns records of 31-3 SU and 20-12-2 ATS.
The offensive glass could be a huge advantage for Houston in this meeting. The Cougars are among the country’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 22nd in offensive rebounding percentage at 34.7 percent. Meanwhile, Georgia State ranks 340th in the nation at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 66.0 percent. Moreover, the Panthers rank 32nd in effective field goal percentage (0.549), while the Cougars rank first in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.424).
Georgia State Panthers vs. Houston Cougars Free Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Houston, ATS Winner – Houston, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Houston averages 40.9 rebounds per game, which ranks eighth in the country. Georgia State ranks 287th in rebounds allowed per game (38.9).
- The Panthers rank 25th in steals per game (8.0) while the Cougars rank 125th (6.4).
- Houston ranks 12th in blocks allowed per game (2.3) while Georgia State ranks 91st (3.1).
- The Cougars rank 54th in three pointers attempted per game (25.6) while the Panthers rank 305th in three pointers allowed per game (27.2).
- Houston ranks 12th in assists allowed per game (10.2) while Georgia State ranks 241st (14.8).
Bettings Trends:
- The Panthers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.2, up from 3.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cougars have scored an average of 75.4 points per game (0.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 64.0 points per game (2.8 above their season average).
