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The 5th-seeded Miami Hurricanes (27-7) and No. 1 Houston Cougars (33-3) clash Thursday in a Sweet 16 contest at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Tip is set for 7:15 p.m. ET (CBS). Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Miami vs. Houston odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Miami is No. 15 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. The Hurricanes have advanced to this Midwest Region semifinal via wins over 12-seed Drake and 4-seed Indiana. The Hurricanes are 11-2 in their last 13 games.
Houston is ranked No. 1 in the nation. The Cougars’ Midwest ride has included victories over 16th-seeded Northern Kentucky and No. 9 Auburn. UH is 15-1 in its last 16 games and 13 of those wins — including both in this tournament — have been by double-digit margins.
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Miami vs. Houston odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:13 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Miami +280 (bet $100 to win $280) | Houston -340 (bet $340 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Miami +7.5 (-108) | Houston -7.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 138.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Miami vs. Houston picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 70, Miami 62
Moneyline
PASS: the lean here is on Houston, but that’s more of a big-bankroll play.
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Against the spread
The Cougars are just 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following an ATS win.
Houston has the better defense in this matchup. UH’s ability to defend inside and out — with length and athleticism on the perimeter and strength and blocked shots in the paint — figures as a difference maker.
But the margin of leverage is tight. A line watch is the suggestion here. PASS for now: grab value on the Cougars if the spread drops to -6.5, even if its priced with a Houston lean (-115, -120).
The Under is 4-2 in UH’s last 6 games and 3-2 in UM’s last 5. The Under is alos 6-1 in the Hurricanes’ last 7 NCAA games and 4-1 in the Cougars’ last 7 NCAA games.
Houston plays at a slowest-15% pace; Miami figures as a fast/mid-fast group. Both teams have efficient offenses, but look for both to take care of the ball and finish a lot of scoring possessions with 2-point field goals.
The Cougar defense should be trouble for the Hurricanes both inside and out. And UM can be slowed down. Coming from a faster league in the ACC, the ‘Canes slowest conference foes were Duke, Notre Dame, and Virginia. In 6 games against those 3 teams, plus UM’s slowest quality non-conference foe, Rutgers, the Under went 5-1.
BACK THE UNDER 138.5 (-115).
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