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Houston vs. SMU Prediction and Odds (Back Cougars to Cool Off Mustangs)

By Ben Heisler

The Houston Cougars have won 12 consecutive games and head to SMU to face the No. 2 team in the AAC this evening at Moody Colliseum.
The Houston Cougars have won 12 consecutive games and head to SMU to face the No. 2 team in the AAC this evening at Moody Colliseum. / Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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The No. 6 Houston Cougars put their unbeaten record in conference play on the line tonight against the SMU Mustangs as the top two teams in the AAC match up from University Park, Texas.

Houston has lost only two games this season, both came by an average of 1.5 points against Wisconsin in Maui and at Alabama.

Meanwhile, SMU has yet to lose a game at home, coming in 11-0 on the season at Moody Coliseum.

Do the Mustangs have it in them to pull off the upset? Or will Houston continue to demolish in conference play.

Here are the latest odds over at WynnBET Sportsbook:

Houston vs. SMU Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Houston -7 (-110)
  • SMU +7 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Houston -300
  • SMU +240

Total:

  • 134 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)

Houston vs. SMU Prediction and Pick

The environment at Moody Coliseum should be outstanding tonight, as a win for SMU would inch them just a game out of first place against an undefeated Houston squad. But rather than take a side on the overall spread or total, I'm going to lean on Houston to get their offense going in the first half.

The Cougars have the eighth-best adjusted offense efficiency over at KenPom in all of college hoops. They're also terrific on the offensive glass to get extra possessions, coming in third in the country with a 38.1% offensive rebounding percentage.

Furthermore, Houston, along with Gonzaga leads the nation in first half point margin (+14) and are sixth in the sport in first half points scored (40.0).

SMU's a good team, but they don't match up well against the Cougars. Their best bet is to try and push the pace with their top 3 offense in the AAC, along with getting a big game out of star guard Kendric Davis who's averaging 19.5 points and 4.7 assists per game, leading the Mustangs in both categories.

Houston won't be phased by the tough road environment, and should still get their offense going, even if SMU looks to push the pace. I expect the Cougars to score easily, especially in the first half where they've been dominant all season.

LEAN: Cougars 1st Half OVER 33.5 points (-115)

Follow all of Ben Heisler's betting picks in real-time HERE!

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