Texas State vs Houston Odds, Pick
| Texas State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Total Points | Moneyline |
+27.5 -110 | 126.5 -110o / -110u | OFF |
| Houston Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Total Points | Moneyline |
-27.5 -110 | 126.5 -110o / -110u | OFF |
The Houston Cougars host the Texas State Bobcats tonight in Texas.
Here's Texas State vs Houston odds and a pick.
Texas State Bobcats
Texas State is off to an interesting start to this season, as it's sitting at 6-4 after a super difficult schedule. The Bobcats haven’t scored more than 75 points against D-I opponents.
It's also worth mentioning that Texas State has faced two Big 12 opponents already (Texas and Oklahoma) and lost by 19 points and 39 points, respectively. It hasn’t fared well against elite competition.
Additionally, the Bobcats got an early Christmas present when guard Jordan Mason returned from injury. He’s averaging over 17 points in five games — he’s the clear leading scorer. Coach TJ Johnson will rely on Mason to initiate offense and take important shots as the team's most talented player.
Texas State boasts a terrific defense, ranking 77th in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, according to KenPom. The other end of the floor is another story, as it ranks 277th in Offensive Efficiency. The Bobcats turn the ball over 20% of the time and shoot only 27% from 3.
I can’t see them putting together many successful possessions against Houston’s stingy defense, especially if the turnovers occur.
The Bobcats will get quickly overwhelmed by Houston’s size and athleticism. It just won’t make for a very competitive matchup.
Houston Cougars
Houston is one of very few unbeaten teams in college basketball. The Cougars may lack top-tier caliber wins, but they do own four Quadrant 1 victories. It’s been an incredibly impressive start for one of college basketball’s most consistent programs.
The Cougars hold the top overall ranking in KenPom, ahead of Purdue and Arizona.
The main reason for Houston’s surging start is an elite defense. Kelvin Sampson is a defensive-minded coach, and his team ranks No. 1 nationally in Defensive Efficiency.
Houston struggles to score the ball efficiently. The team shoots only 43% from the floor, which is fairly low for a top-five ranked team. Starting guards LJ Cryer, Jamal Shead and Emanuel Sharp each shoot below 43% from the floor. That’s one area Houston could make strides in during the season.
Cryer has carried his elite play from Baylor into another spot in Texas. He looks terrific in this system and is the clear No. 1 option. I’m expecting Cryer to make a huge impact in this one.
The one thing Houston beats everybody in that isn’t accounted for in the stats? Heart and hustle. If you don’t exert 100% effort possession in and possession out, Sampson will gladly place you on the bench.
That’s the style he’s built this Houston program on.
Texas State vs. Houston
Betting Pick & Prediction
Houston loves hammering bad teams — and Texas State fits the “bad” billing.
I’m expecting a full-on defensive slugfest from Houston’s side and 20+ turnovers from Texas State’s questionable offensive unit.
It’s the perfect type of game where Houston finds a groove and the opposing team — in this case Texas State — starts forcing the issue offensively.
Take the Cougs all day.
Pick: Houston -27.5
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