The Cincinnati Bearcats will face the Houston Cougars on Saturday at the Fertitta Center in a college basketball matchup. In their previous encounter on February 27, 2024, Houston secured a 67-59 victory, marking their 11th consecutive win against Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Bearcats Overview

The Bearcats enter this game following a narrow 69-67 victory over Baylor, bringing their season record to 17-11. They have won five of their last seven games. Key contributors include:

• Jizzle James: Leads in scoring and assists with 12.6 points and 3.8 assists per game, along with 3 rebounds.
• Simas Lukosius: Averages 11.2 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
• Dillon Mitchell: Contributes 10.2 points and leads in rebounds with 6.6 per game.

As a team, Cincinnati averages 71.6 points per game, shooting 45.5% from the field, 33.3% from three-point range, and 66.6% from the free-throw line.

Houston Cougars Overview

The Cougars come off a 69-61 win over Texas Tech, improving their record to 24-4 and extending their winning streak to seven games. Notable players include:

• L.J. Cryer: Leads the team with 14.6 points per game.
• Emanuel Sharp: Averages 11.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
• J’Wan Roberts: Adds 11.4 points and leads in rebounds with 6.4 per game.
• Milos Uzan: Contributes 11.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and a team-high 4.6 assists per game.

Houston averages 74.9 points per game, shooting 46.2% from the field, an impressive 40.2% from three-point range, and 73.7% from the free-throw line.

Betting Insights

• Cincinnati: Has won nine of its last ten games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• Houston: Boasts a 32-game home winning streak at the Fertitta Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Trends

• Twelve of Cincinnati’s last thirteen games against top 10 AP-ranked opponents have produced totals of 126 points or more.
• Seven of Houston’s last eight conference games have resulted in totals of 127 points or more.

Prediction

While Houston is favored, Cincinnati’s recent competitive performances suggest they could cover the spread. In a game likely characterized by limited possessions and a defensive focus, every point becomes crucial. Therefore, taking Cincinnati with the points appears to be a prudent choice.