Barry Recks
The Wichita State Shockers will look to live up to their moniker this Thursday against the Houston Cougars. Do you think Wichita State will take down the Cougars? Or do you think Houston will shoot the Shockers down?
Read on for more about this Wichita State vs Houston 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 Wichita State Shockers vs Houston Cougars College Basketball Game on March 2, 2023
- Where: Fertitta Center, Houston, Texas
- When: Thursday, March 2, 2023, 7:00 PM ET
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Betting on the Wichita State Shockers
- Regular Season Record: 15-13
Wichita State got its form back last Sunday by defeating the Tulane Green Wave on the road, 83-76. That was a great way for the Shockers to get back to their winning ways after suffering an 83-78 home loss to the Memphis Tigers on Feb. 23. Jaron Pierre Jr. stepped up for Wichita State versus Tulane, as he put up a triple-double of a team-high 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, while James Rojas chipped in 22 points.
Pierre had a bad game in the first meeting with Houston, which beat the Shockers on Feb. 2, 70-61, but after that kind of showing in the Tulane outing, he should have all the confidence in the world that he can do better this time around.
Wichita State even had a seven-point lead in the second half of that meeting with the Cougars before eventually squandering it all off. Nevertheless, the Shockers covered the spread against the Cougars, with Jaykwon Walton pacing Wichita State with 24 points. Walton leads the Cougars this season with 14.0 PPG.
Betting on the Houston Cougars
- Regular Season Record: 27-2
No matter what happens the rest of the way, Houston is king once again of the regular season in the AAC. The Cougars are also enjoying a nine-game win streak, the third time that has happened this season. Houston’s chances of nailing its 10th win in a row this Thursday are looking good The Cougars are the home team in this matchup versus Wichita State and still is considered one of the best – if not the best team overall in the nation.
The Cougars’ offense is efficient, while their defense has been suffocating for opposing teams. In fact, the Cougars are the only team in Division I basketball who are both in the top 10 in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiencies. They are also No. 1 overall with only 55.9 points allowed per game. In the first meeting with Wichita State, Houston was so disruptive on defense that the Shockers shot just 38.9 FG% and posted a poor 41.7 eFG%.
JefeBet Prediction
This is a game Houston still could not afford to lose if it’s still interested in nabbing a No. 1 seed in March Madness. Expect the Cougars to be in their best form and to win comfortably.
Prediction: Houston spread.
