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Wichita State vs. Houston prediction and odds for Thursday, March 2 (Expect a shootout)

By Josh Yourish

Feb 25, 2023; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; Houston Cougars guard Marcus Sasser (0) runs free on a fast break against the East Carolina Pirates during the first half at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2023; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; Houston Cougars guard Marcus Sasser (0) runs free on a fast break against the East Carolina Pirates during the first half at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports /
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In the month of February, Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars went a perfect, 7-0 and there were only two teams who kept the margin in the single digits. Most recently was Memphis, but back on February 2, the Wichita State Shockers only lost 70-61 to the Cougars who are currently the No. 1 team in the country.

Houston is on a roll and the Cougars only have two games left on their regular season schedule. They come into this one at 27-2 (15-1) while Wichita State is 15-13 (8-8) and coming off an 83-76 win over Tulane. The Shockers kept it close-ish at home, but now they’re in Houston as big underdogs.

Wichita State vs. Houston odds, spread and total

Wichita State vs. Houston prediction and pick

The Wichita State Shockers are not what you’d call an elite offensive team. They are 197th in efficiency, 200th in points per game, 208th in field goal percentage and 347th in three-point percentage. It’s never good to be a team that struggles to score heading on the road against the best defensive team in the entire country.

Houston is No. 1 or No. 2 in mostly every category. They give up the fewest points per game, and their opponents field goal percentage, and No. 2 in opponent three-point shooting and defensive efficiency. They’re entirely dominant on that end and last time these teams met the Shockers shot under 40% from the field and a whopping 15% from three.

However, Wichita State is finding a little rhythm as the end of the regular season approaches. The over has hit in their last seven road games, and their last five against teams with a winning percentage over .600. In their last four games, they’ve scored 91, 79, 78, and 83 points. In their last three games their offensive efficiency is 1.118 which would be 10th in the country. I’ll ride this hot streak and take the over even as they’re facing the best defense in college basketball.

Pick: Over 133.5 (-110)

Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change