Barry Recks
The Houston Cougars can win their 12th game in AAC play as soon as this coming Thursday when they meet the SMU Mustangs again. Do you think Houston will take down the Mustangs again? Or do you think SMU will pull off a shocking victory?
Read on for more about this Houston vs SMU matchup in the 2022-23 college basketball season, including the latest odds, pick, and prediction to win this showdown, as brought to you by JefeBet. Also, don’t forget to check out the other NCAAB game previews here to help you make the best betting decisions.
Predictions and Betting Preview for the Houston Cougars vs SMU Mustangs College Basketball Game on February 16, 2023
- Where: Moody Coliseum, Dallas, Texas
- When: Thursday, February 16, 2023, 7:00 PM ET
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Betting on the Houston Cougars
- Regular Season Record: 23-2
There is a case to be made that Houston is the best team in the nation at this point of the season. The Cougars reinforced that notion last Wednesday when they destroyed the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at home, 80-42. Houston barely made any mistakes in dominating Tulsa, as the Cougars shot 46.3 FG% with 13 3-pointers on 35 attempts while holding the Golden Hurricanes down to only 27.8 FG% shooting.
Houston’s defense can be unforgiving to opponents, and it’s a major reason for the Cougars’ success this season. So far, Houston is No. 1 in Division I basketball with just 55.0 points allowed per game. The Mustangs know all about that because they shot just 30.6 FG%% when they lost to Houston last January, 87-53.
Houston is 2-0 ATS in its last two games.
Betting on the SMU Mustangs
- Regular Season Record: 9-17
The Mustangs are not exactly having a terrific season. Apart from their overall record that is way below .500, they are also carrying a 4-9 record in AAC play after falling prey to the Wichita State Shockers in a gut-wrenching 91-89 double-overtime road loss last Sunday. Well, the Mustangs will have to forget about that soon, as they have a tough assignment coming right up in the form of Houston.
Despite their troubles this season, the Mustangs can always lean on sophomore guard Zhuric Phelps, who just dropped 26 points in the loss to Wichita State. He only had six points in the first meeting with Houston but it should be better this Thursday as SMU is playing at home. The Mustangs can be a bit pesky on defense, as evidenced by their 20.4% defensive turnover rate in conference play, entering Sunday’s game versus the Shockers.
SMU is 2-2 ATS in its last four home games.
JefeBet Prediction
This is going to be the same story as what we saw in the first meeting — just in a different location. Taking the Cougars to win and cover.
Prediction: Houston spread.
