Why is no one talking about sixth-ranked Houston as a Final Four team? The Cougars made it last season and might be better this year, but they will be tested as favorites on the NCAAB odds at very good SMU in AAC action on Wednesday.

How to Bet Houston at SMU NCAA Basketball Odds & TV Info

• When: Wednesday, 7 PM ET
• Where: Moody Coliseum
• TV: ESPN2
• Stream: ESPN app
• Radio: Tunein.com
• Opening NCAAB Lines: Houston -6 (total 137)

Last Meeting

It’s the first of two scheduled meetings. Last year, Houston won both. The one at SMU was a 74-60 final. Quentin Grimes hit a go-ahead 3-pointer to ignite a 10-0 run to start the second half and UH didn’t look back. Grimes is now in the NBA. The Cougars had 28 of their 45 rebounds after halftime, with 11 offensive boards and 15 second-chance points after the break. Justin Gorham had 13 of his 19 rebounds in that span. Kendric Davis led SMU with 23 points and he’s still there. Houston leads the all-time series 55-33.

Why Bet on Houston?

The Cougars (20-2) won their 12^th straight game Sunday, 80-58 at a pretty good Cincinnati team. Houston was dominant from the opening tip as it went 10 of 15 from the floor and 4 of 5 from 3-point range to start.

“They play inspiring basketball,” UC’s David DeJulius said. “They hit the glass hard. They play together. They showed why they are the sixth-ranked team in the country.”

Fabian White Jr. scored a career-high 22 points, and Jamal Shead had 17 points for UH. Taze Moore scored 13 points, and senior forward Reggie Chaney added 10 for Houston, which which hasn’t lost since Dec. 2 – a one-point loss at then-No. 9 Alabama. White was named AAC Player of the Week on Monday. He led the Cougars with 21.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, buried 63.0 percent (17-of-27) of his shots from the field and tied for second on the team with 1.5 blocks per contest.

White has tied Houston great Michael Young as the winningest player in school career history with 109 victories. He now needs to compete in only four more games to move past point guard Galen Robinson Jr and set a Houston record with 137 games played during his career.

Kyler Edwards is one of only three players to rank among the American Athletic Conference’s Top-10 leaders in both scoring and rebounding. Ed wards stands 10th in the league with 13.9 points per game and stands ninth with 5.9 rebounds per contest.

Houston is one of five schools to rank among KenPom. com’s Top-15 national leaders in both offensive and defensive efficiencies. The Cougars stand eighth nationally in offensive efficiency (117.7) and 12th in defensive (89.5). Houston joins Gonzaga, Kentucky, Arizona and Auburn in the Top 15 in both categories. The Cougars lead the nation in field-goal percentage defense (36.0).

Why Bet on SMU?

The Mustangs (16-5) come off a 72-57 loss at Wichita State on Saturday. WSU used an 18-2 first-half run to build a 32-13 lead after 13 minutes of play. The Shockers led by 16 at halftime and by as many as 21 at the 17:49-mark of the second half. SMU capitalized on an eight-minute WSU field goal drought to claw within 10 points, 47-37, with 7:10 to play, but then the Shockers pulled away again.

WSU shot 41.1 percent from the field, helped by an 8-of-21 performance from three (.381), and knocked down 18-of-20 free throws. SMU shot 36.5 percent, including 5-of-20 from three, and made 14-of-21 free throws. The Shockers won the turnover battle 17-12, helped by 10 steals.

Marcus Weathers had 14 points for the Mustangs, who scored a season-low 23 points in the first half and trailed by 16. Emmanuel Bandoumel added 12 points as SMU saw a five-game win streak end. Star Kendric Davis was held to eight points but is leading the AAC in scoring (19.5, 30th NCAA) and free-throw percentage (87.5%, 39th NCAA). He is in the top five in the league in field-goal percentage (44.8%, 3rd AAC), assists (4.7, 3rd AAC, 58th NCAA) and 3FGs made (2.4, 8th AAC).

SMU is 11-0 at home this season, and has won 13 straight at Moody Coliseum. That is tied for 12th for the longest active streak in NCAA Division I. It is also tied for sixth in program history. The Mustangs have seven wins against teams in the AP Top 20 under Head Coach Tim Jankovich. SMU has 7 wins against AP Top 25 teams under Jankovich (20 games). That is second at SMU. Doc Hayes had 13 from 1947-67.

SMU is leading The American in 3-pointers made (8.7, 68th NCAA) and ranks second in the league for 3-point percentage (36.1%, 64th NCAA). The Mustangs lead the AAC in defensive rebounds (28.5, 16th NCAA), rank third in scoring at 75.1 points, third in FG% (45.1%), fifth in FG% defense (39.7%) and third in FT% (74.6%).

Expert Prediction

• Houston 72, SMU 65

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