SMU Needs to Slow down Houston Offense
The Houston Cougars and the SMU Mustangs will both meet on Wednesday at Moody Coliseum-Dallas. Both teams are in a five-way tie for second place in the conference.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPNews LINE: Pick; O/U: 137.
Point guard Galen Robinson Jr. is the engine of No. 17 Houston’s high-tempo offense. Robinson needs three assists to become the second Cougar with four 100-assist seasons. The other was Derrick Daniels, from 1988-82. He also only needs eight to become the sixth player in school history with at least 500 in his career. Both teams have been strong defensively, but the Mustangs have out-rebounded their first four conference opponents by 40. SMU leads the league in offensive rebounds, averaging 13.8 per game. They have won five of the past eight against Houston but lost both meetings last year.
The Houston Cougars are 16-1 overall and 3-1 in the conference. Robinson (8.8 points, 5.7 assists) has helped Houston overcome several sluggish offensive starts by pushing the pace. Guard Corey Davis Jr. scores a team-high 15.5 points per game. Guard Armoni Brooks chips in 14.2 points, and a team-high 6.8 rebounds. The duo have hit a combined 108 baskets from 3-point range. Center Brison Gresham (3.9 points) has a team-high 30 blocks. Three Cougars have at least 20 steals for a defense that’s ranked ninth nationally in points against per game at 60.6.
The SMU Mustangs are 11-5 overall and 3-1 in the conference. Guard Jahmal McMurray leads the Mustangs, and is fourth in the league with 18.9 points per game. He is also shooting 41.5 percent from behind the 3-point line. Forward Ethan Chargois adds 13.1 points and 6.4 rebounds a game. Transfer forward Isiaha Mike contributes 9.9 points and 4.8 rebounds a game. Guard Jimmy Whitt Jr. averages 12.8 points, and team-highs of 6.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists per game. He has recorded three straight double-doubles as the Mustangs have won five of their past six. Forward Feron Hunt averages 6.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in 21.8 minutes as the Mustangs’ only big man off the bench.
PREDICTION: Houston 78, SMU 66
AAC Basketball Betting Odds & Trends
| Houston Cougars |
|---|
| Houston is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games |
| Houston is 16-1 SU in its last 17 games |
| The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games |
| Houston is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road |
| The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games on the road |
| Houston is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Southern Methodis |
| Houston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Southern Methodis |
| Southern Methodist Mustangs |
|---|
| Southern Methodist is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games |
| Southern Methodist is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games |
| The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Southern Methodist’s last 5 games |
| Southern Methodist is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home |
| Southern Methodist is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home |
| The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Southern Methodist’s last 5 games at home |
| Southern Methodist is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Houston |
| Southern Methodist is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Houston |
| Southern Methodist is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Houston |
Next up:
Houston at South Florida Saturday, January 19
Southern Methodist at Memphis Saturday, January 19
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