The last game of the Saturday night slate sees the Syracuse Orange continue their impressive run against the Houston Cougars. Syracuse has had a ton of tournament success in recent years and will look to build on their impressive resume with another Elite Eight appearance. The Houston Cougars on the other hand are looking to reach the Elite Eight for the first time since 1984. Both teams are playing great basketball of late and will surely fight to the finish and put on a show for us in this Sweet Sixteen matchup. It’s time to continue the NCAA odds series and make a Syracuse-Houston prediction and pick.
Here is how the sportsbooks set the odds for this game.
NCAA Odds: Syracuse-Houston Odds
Syracuse Orange +6 (-110)
Houston Cougars -6 (-110)
Over 140 (-110)
Under 140 (-11o)
Why Syracuse Could Cover the Spread
The Syracuse Orange have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in this year's tournament. They have shot the lights out of the gym in two upset wins. The Orange have shot 29-58 from three-point land thus far and are clicking on all cylinders at the right time. With wins against San Diego State and West Virginia, Syracuse has proven that they won't back down from “better competition.” Jim Boeheim has this team playing great basketball in the tournament. His famous 2-3 zone is dangerous and has been neutralizing opponents.
Buddy Boeheim is the X-factor for the Orange. Boeheim has been electrifying in the first two games, going for 55 combined points. Syracuse has covered in their last six games, thanks in large part to the Boeheim's. During the stretch, Buddy has averaged 26 points and over five three's per game. Against a Cougar team that is among the best on the boards in the country, big man Alan Griffin will be more important than ever before. The transfer from Illinois has been great in the paint for the Orange and will look to continue his success against a monstrous Houston front.
Why Houston Could Cover the Spread
The Houston Cougars have been one of the best teams in the country in 2021. Houston hadn't been tested much this year before their second-round victory against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The Cougars trailed at the half and were down by nine with five minutes left in the game. They persevered and are now battle-tested going into the Sweet Sixteen. They have been one of the best rebounding teams in the country, averaging 41.1 rebounds per game. They out-rebounded Rutgers by 10 in the second-round win and will have to control the boards to beat the Orange.
Houston will also look for another big performance from their star guard Quentin Grimes. Grimes has had an exceptional season for his team, averaging 18 points per game. Quentin is the facilitator for the Cougars and they will look to run the offense through him once again. The offense isn't the focal point for this team, though. Houston has held opponents to a 43.3 effective field goal percentage, which is the best in Division-1. They also hold their opposition to a three-point percentage of just 29.3%. If Justin Gorham (8.8 rpg) can dominate the glass, Houston will win this game.
Final Syracuse-Houston Prediction & Pick
The Syracuse Orange have covered in both of their tournament games and will look to ride that momentum into this one. They have been riding the hot hand of Buddy Boeheim and rightfully so. I don't see that being a consistent formula for success, especially against a Houston team that locks teams down from beyond the arc. Houston is the better team, and they are hungry to exceed their high expectations coming in. Syracuse is on an impressive run, but that will end against a Houston team that will look to dominate on the defensive end and on the boards.
FINAL PICK: Houston -6 (-110)
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