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Syracuse vs. Houston: The best Sweet 16 betting props
March Madness rolls on with the Sweet 16 this weekend! Hopefully your bracket isn’t totally busted, but if it is, that’s all the more reason to dive into the betting markets for each of the games on Saturday and Sunday.
Good morning, @UHouston fans...
— Houston Men's Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) March 27, 2021
We don't have to tell you what today is...
Let's do this!#ForTheCity x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/gdPWWDyOxe
We’ll be highlighting Saturday night’s matchup between the 11-seed Syracuse Orange and the two-seed Houston Cougars (9:55 p.m. ET, TBS). More specifically, the prop wagers from this game. Here are the three best props to take advantage of in this tilt.
Sun, March 28 2021, 1:55 AM
Houston
Moneyline
-305
Spread
-6.5
Total
O 141
Syracuse
Moneyline
+230
Spread
+6.5
Total
U 141
Houston Cougars Total Points (Over/Under 73.5)
This late-night contest has the potential to become totally lopsided in favor of the Cougars. It starts with Houston eclipsing their team total of 73.5 points.
The Cougars rank 42nd in the nation in points per game this season (77.9), and are fifth in the country in total rebounds per game (41). Syracuse struggles in both corresponding areas, as they are 186th in points allowed per game this year (70.4) and 293rd in rebounds per game (37.6).
A lot of talk about Buddy Boeheim but not enough national attention over how good Quentin Grimes (@qdotgrimes) has been during postseason play for @UHCougarMBK. Last 5 games for Grimes:
— Aqib Gazi (@Aqib_Rockets) March 26, 2021
19.4 PPG
47.8 FG%
4.6 3PT on 8.6 3PA (53.5%)
5.2 REB
1.8 STL#ForTheCity #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/Go4QXB3O7R
Houston had one of their worst shooting nights in recent memory against the 10-seed Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Sunday, hitting just 37.3% of their field goals. That 63-point performance is unlikely to be repeated in this spot. Look for Quentin Grimes, the team’s leading scorer at 18.1 points per game, to have another fine outing against the Orange on Saturday.
NCAA pick: Over
Syracuse Orange Total Points (Over/Under 67.5)
Buddy Boeheim and Syracuse have made over 50% of their shots thus far in the tournament. But considering they’ve shot just 44.4% from the floor this season – 154th in the country – the Orange seem due for a reversal of fortune.
Buddy Boeheim is not human.@Cuse_MBB pic.twitter.com/eUfzfsNa97
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 20, 2021
The Cougars are second in the nation in opponent field goal percentage (37.1%). This solid defensive squad shouldn’t give Boeheim too many open looks on Saturday. Expect Syracuse to be held under 68 points.
NCAA pick: Under
First half moneyline (three-way)
There’s some value to squeeze out with Houston’s first half moneyline in this market. The tie is a longshot, and Syracuse will likely not be in command.
The Cougars and Orange score a similar amount of first half points per game – Houston with 36.8 and Syracuse with 36.3 – but the stark difference comes on defense. The Cougars allow just 26.4 points per first half, the second-lowest mark in the country. Syracuse can’t hold a candle to that, as they’re 214th with 34.0 opponent points per first half.
NCAA pick: Houston -200
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