Miami Hurricanes vs Houston Cougars Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/24/2023

Game Time: 7:15 pm ET, Friday, March 24, 2023

Venue:  T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO

Where to Watch:  CBS

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Miami-FL +7, Houston -7; Over/Under:  138 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Miami-FL +7, Houston -7; Over/Under:  138 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Miami-FL +7.5, Houston -7.5; Over/Under:  137.5 points

Miami Hurricanes:  27-7 (15-5) (1st place, ACC)

Houston Cougars:  33-3 (17-1) (1st place, AAC)

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Miami Hurricanes:  4-1  last 5

Houston Cougars:  4-1  last 5

Miami-Florida is coming into this game with a 27-7 record overall and they are 4-2 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak with wins coming against the Drake Bulldogs and the Indiana Hoosiers in their last game. Isaiah Wong led the team in points in that game with 27 while Jordan Miller was next on the team with 19 points. Bensley Joseph led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Norchad Omier led the team in rebounds with 17. They were 48.6% from the field, 39.1% from 3-point range, and 61.5% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 79.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 71.6 PPG against them. Miami-Florida has an ATS record of 20-14 this season and their O/U record is 15-18-1.

Houston is coming into this game with a 33-3 record overall and they are 6-1 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak with wins coming against the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Auburn Tigers in their last game. Tramon Mark led the team in points in that game with 26 while Marcus Sasser was next on the team with 22 points. Jamal Shead led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Jarace Walker led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 41.7% from the field, 31.8% from 3-point range, and 82.8% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 74.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 56.6 PPG against them. Houston has an ATS record of 19-17 this season and their O/U record is 17-19.

The current betting odds have Miami listed as a 7 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Miami had a very good season this year even though they didn't win the ACC Tournament they were still the best ACC team during the regular season with their 27-7 record overall. They were 4-2 in their neutral site games too and they have looked really good in the first 2 rounds of this NCAA Tournament. Miami was down late in their game against Drake but they were very aggressive on defense near the end and managed to pull off the comeback win and that defensive play is going to be key in this game. Houston was one of the best teams all season with their 33-3 record overall and they were also really good on neutral sites with their 6-1 record in those games, but Houston hasn't looked great in their 2 games and it is only going to get tougher for them as the teams get better. Houston struggled against the Norse in their 1st game and they were even down by 10 points at half against Auburn before having a monster 2nd half to come back and win that one. Miami has been playing a lot better though and their defensive play is very strong which will make it much tougher on Houston to pull away in this game or even pull off comebacks if they fall behind. This will be a much closer game. The best way to place a bet here is on Miami to cover the spread in this game. 

Miami Houston Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, March 24, 2023 (7:15 pm ET start time) is Houston 77 Miami 74.

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Miami Hurricanes: 10-17 ATS after successfully covering the spread in 2 or more consecutive games. 18-9 UNDER after successfully covering the spread in 2 or more consecutive games. 20-12 UNDER in a neutral court game where the total is 135 to 139.5.

Houston Cougars: 27-18 ATS after one or more consecutive overs. 22-13 ATS after 2 consecutive non-conference games. 16-9 UNDER in all tournament games.

Miami Hurricanes:  W. Poplar (G) Ques Fri - Back.

Houston Cougars:  R. Walker Jr. (G) out for season - Personal. M. Wilson (G) out for season - Redshirt.

“Our guys were disappointed about the way they played Friday, so we were really ready to show that this is Miami basketball. We’re very hard to guard.” - Jim Larranaga after his team’s win against Indiana in their last game. 

“I think the biggest adjustment was in our attitude. I was almost glad it was Auburn’s ball first (in the second half), because I thought we needed to set the tone with a stop." - Kelvin Sampson after his team’s win against Auburn in their last game. 

J. Miller 

N. Omier 

N. Pack 

W. Poplar 

I. Wong

T. Mark 

J. Roberts 

M. Sasser 

J. Shead 

J. Walker

PPG: I. Wong (17.8)

APG: J. Miller (2.8)

Reb/G: N. Omier (10.5)

PPG: M. Sasser (17.1)

APG: J. Shead (5.4)

Reb/G: J. Roberts (7.2)

Coaches:

Miami Hurricanes: Jim Larranaga (12th season)

Houston Cougars: Kelvin Sampson (9th season)