Tag: Houston Cougars

Titans select Houston OT in 1st round of Charles Davis’ mock draft

Could the Titans address the offensive line in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft?

The Tennessee Titans have fewer holes to address going into April than they usually do at this time of year.

But there is still some fixing to do if the team wants to remain a consistent playoff contender and reach beyond an AFC Championship Game appearance in 2020.

One area the Titans could address in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft is offensive tackle.

That’s exactly what NFL.com analyst Charles Davis has the team doing with the No. 29 overall pick.

Davis projects the Titans will select Houston offensive tackle Joshua Jones, seeing him as a quick fix if the team loses an ever-improving Jack Conklin ahead of the season.

“If starting RT Jack Conklin departs in free agency, the Titans could plug this riser in his spot right away,” Davis wrote. “He has length and moves well in the run and pass game.”

The 6-foot-5, 311-pound Jones started 36 games for the Cougars between 2016 and 2018 after redshirting in 2015.

Davis is far from the only one to pin the Titans to Jones. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah did it also.

“It looks as if the Titans will likely lose right tackle Jack Conklin in free agency,” he wrote. “Jones would slide right into that spot.”

And so did Chad Reuter.

“The Titans will want a tough-minded right tackle to replace free agent Jack Conklin if he changes addresses,” he wrote. “Jones plays nasty and could easily swing to that side of the line.”

The 2020 NFL Draft will take place from April 23 to April 25.

2020 American Athletic Conference College Basketball Tournament odds and betting futures

Analyzing the 2020 American Athletic Conference Tournament odds and futures, with sports betting picks, tips and best bets.

The 2020 American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament kicks off Thursday at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Tex. There are a few teams from the AAC which should be shoe-ins for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid, should they come up short for a championship bid. A few others are on the bubble, and need impressive showings, and help in other tourneys, to catch the eye of the selection committee. Below, we look at the futures odds to win the AAC tournament.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednsday, March 11 at 11 a.m. ET.

2020 AAC odds: Houston Cougars (+200)

Regular-season record: (23-8, 13-5 AAC)

The Cougars will have a lot less pressure than some of the teams below them, as they’re a lock for a bid to the dance. They’re simply playing for seeding at this point and could use a couple of wins to bump them up. They could be on the 8-line right now, which would give them a coin-flip game in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Get some action on this event or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Houston scratched out a win and non-cover against a solid Memphis side over the weekend in the regular-season finale. The Cougars have the defense to make at least an Elite Eight run if they’re on top of their game. They ranked 12th in the nation in points allowed (62.1 points per game), and they ranked seventh in defensive field-goal percentage (38.3). While Houston isn’t the best scoring team, posting just 72.3 PPG on offense, checking in a middling 135th, it creates plenty of second chances, ranking second in the country in offensive rebounding.

The FAVORITE IS WORTH A BET AT +200, as the Cougars are the class of the AAC.

2020 AAC odds: Cincinnati Bearcats (+350)

Regular-season record: (20-10, 13-5 AAC)

The Bearcats stumbled down the stretch, going just 5-3 straight up and 1-7 against the spread across their final eight games. File that away if you bet their games individually going forward. As far as winning the AAC Tournament, the Bearcats are a talented team, especially defensively. While not as tenacious as Houston, Cincy did rank 31st in the country in defensive FG% (39.8). G Jarron Cumberland (15.5 points, 4.9 assists) is a talented scorer, and 7-foot-1 C Chris Vogt had 1.6 blocked shots per outing with F Tre Scott cleaning the glass to the tune of 10.5 rebounds per game with 1.5 steals per outing. CINCINNATI IS WORTH A SMALL-UNIT BET AT +350, but don’t get ridiculous.

2020 AAC odds: Wichita State Shockers (+400)

Regular-season record: (23-8, 11-7 AAC)

The Shockers certainly made plenty of waves, rising from mid-major power in the Missouri Valley Conference to an invitation to the AAC. After a brief adjustment period, the Shockers are doing what we’ve come to expect from them – win a lot of games. While they lost two road games to Cincinnati and Memphis down the stretch, a 22-point win in the final over a good Tulsa team snapped them back on track. WICHITA STATE IS A GOOD VALUE BET AT +400.

2020 AAC odds: Tulsa Golden Hurricane (+600)

Regular-season record: (21-10, 13-5 AAC)

The Golden Hurricane were humbled by 22 points at Wichita in the finale. Tulsa beat the teams they were supposed to beat, and were hammered by the good teams. A 33-point loss in Houston Feb. 19 was also alarming. They’ll be a good NIT team, and a loss Friday in their first game, potentially against Memphis, wouldn’t be surprising. AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: Memphis Tigers (+600)

Regular-season record: (21-10, 10-8 AAC)

The Tigers had a chance to get off the bubble with a win in Houston in the finale. While they covered, they faltered, and covers do not impress the committee. Memphis likely needs at least two wins, perhaps three, to feel comfortable on selection Saturday. If the Tigers still had James Weisman in the middle, their chances of winning here would be better. They’re a good defensive team, but offensively they’re rather bland. A SMALL-UNIT PLAY TO WIN THE AAC AT +600 is OK, as their defense is good enough, but they’re a better bet in individual games against the spread and on Under plays.

2020 AAC odds: UConn Huskies (+1500)

Regular-season record: (19-12, 10-8 AAC)

UConn is on the bubble, and likely needs at least a run to the final to have a chance at an NCAA bid. The Huskies are matched up with Tulane in the 5-12 matchup, a team they scraped by 80-76 in the regular-season finale. They won both meetings with Tulane, but went 0-2 ATS. The good news is UConn enters this tournament on a five-game winning streak. Still, the Huskies are a mediocre team, and their odds are rather inflated based upon that. Not a good value, so AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: SMU Mustangs (+2500)

Regular-season record: (19-11, 9-9 AAC)

The Mustangs looked like a certain NCAA team, but they ended the regular season on a 1-5 SU/ATS slide, including shocking road losses to Tulane, UCF and South Florida. There’s a reason UConn is a 19-win team and just +600, and SMU has a better record but are long shots. What have you done for me lately? AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: Temple Owls (+5000)

Regular-season record: (14-17, 6-12 AAC)

The Owls could spring a mild upset over a skidding SMU in the first round, but that’s as far as they go. They enter on their own five-game slide. It seems like regular-season wins over USC, Texas A&M and Wichita State were in another century. AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: UCF Knights (+5000)

Regular-season record: (16-14, 7-11 AAC)

The Knights won their final two regular-season games, and they won at Cincinnati Feb. 19. They split with first-round opponent South Florida, so they could win one game, but they’re not going far. AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: South Florida Bulls (+8000)

Regular-season record: (14-17, 7-11 AAC)

The Bulls won’t be on parade. They did top SMU in the regular-season finale and won in Memphis Feb. 8, but their opening game vs. UCF is a toss-up. If they win that one, they go no further. AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: East Carolina Pirates (+10000)

Regular-season record: (11-20, 5-13 AAC)

The Pirates lost their final three games of the regular season, and are the only 20-loss team in the AAC. They beat SMU Jan. 11 but also lost by 20 to the Mustangs. That’s a microcosm of their season, and how inconsistent, and awful, they can be. AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: Tulane Green Wave (+10000)

Regular-season record: (12-18, 4-14 AAC)

The Green Wave opened 7-1 SU/6-2 ATS, and looked like they were in line for a big season, including a win in Utah. They also beat Cincinnati and SMU at home, but this game isn’t in New Orleans, and they dropped five of their last six away from their home floor. The Green Wave will crash early in this tourney. AVOID.

Want some action on this tournament? Place a bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Memphis at Houston college basketball odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Memphis Tigers at Houston Cougars sports betting odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Memphis Tigers (21-9, 10-7 AAC) and Houston Cougars (22-8, 12-5 AAC) battle at Fertitta Center in Houston at 12 p.m. ET Sunday. We analyze the Memphis-Houston odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

The Cougars are ranked 21st in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll.

Memphis at Houston: Three things you need to know

  1. Memphis picked up a narrow 60-59 victory Feb. 22 on their home floor against Houston. A win for the Tigers would give them the four-seed in the upcoming AAC Tournament.
  2. The Tigers lead the country with a 36.1 defensive field-goal percentage, and they rank third in the nation in blocked shots with 6.0 per game. Freshman Precious Achiuwa leads the team with 1.9 BPG, and he also leads the nation among freshmen with 10.6 rebounds per contest while posting 15.5 points per game.
  3. The Under has cashed in four straight for Memphis, and the streak was kicked off in their low-scoring win over Houston Feb. 22. The Cougs have hit the Under in three of their past four games, and 12 of their past 15.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Memphis at Houston: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Houston 65, Memphis 61

Moneyline (ML)

The Houston moneyline (-500) is not a good play. This will be a defensive battle, and laying five times the return is just not good for the long-term health of your bankroll. If anything, Memphis (+360), who won the first meeting, would be a better option. But the best course of action is to AVOID.

Against the Spread (ATS)

MEMPHIS (+9, -110) won the first meeting and should be able to keep it close in what is expected to be a defensive grind like the first head-to-head contest. Houston (-9, -110) enters the game with a 2-4 ATS mark across the past six outings, and while the Cougars are 4-1 ATS in the past five at home, they have managed to cover just twice in the past five when favored by nine or more.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 135 (-110) is the best bet between these two defensive-minded clubs. Houston ranks 16th in the land with 62.3 PPG allowed, while limiting the opposition to a 38.3 field-goal percentage, good for ninth in the country, and a 28.8 3-pointer percentage, 11th in the nation. Memphis allows just 64.9 PPG, and it is fourth against the three while leading the country in defensive FG%.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Who has the most NCAA men’s golf team championships?

Thirty schools have won men’s NCAA Championship titles, including 15 multi-time winners. That begs the question: Who has the most?

National champions have been crowned in men’s collegiate golf dating back to 1897.

The Intercollegiate Golf Association, which was later re-named as the National Intercollegiate Golf Association, sponsored the season-end tournament from 1897-1938.

In that time frame, Yale dominated, earning 20 NIGA titles from 1897-1936, including nine consecutive from 1905-1913. The Bulldogs’ lone NCAA Championship came in 1943. Ivy League-rival Princeton has 11 NIGA titles of their own, dominating the 1920s. They as well have just one NCAA title (1940). Harvard also won six in seven years from 1898-1904, and Michigan won consecutive titles in 1934-35.

For the last 81 years, starting in 1939, the NCAA has assumed responsibility. Thirty schools have won NCAA titles, including 15 multi-time winners. That begs the question: Who has the most?

Houston

Number of titles: 16

Years won: 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1977, 1982, 1984, 1985

Notable past players: Fuzzy Zoeller, Fred Couples, Steve Elkington, Bruce Lietzke, John Mahaffey, Bill Rogers, Blaine McCallister, Billy Ray Brown and Jim Nantz (yes, that Jim Nantz).

The first dynasty in the NCAA era, Houston won each of its 16 titles in a 29-year period, but has yet to win in the last 35 years.

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Houston OT Josh Jones willing to play left or right tackle in the NFL

Former Houston Cougars OT Josh Jones has versatility as an offensive lineman, and he is willing to play left or right tackle in the NFL.

INDIANAPOLIS — Former Houston Cougars offensive tackle Josh Jones is willing to play either side of the offensive line for whatever team selects him in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Richmond George Bush High School alumnus has played left tackle for Houston throughout his four seasons, but says he is willing to play right at the pro level if called upon.

“I’m versatile,” Jones said at the NFL Scouting Combine Wednesday. “If anything, I got to work at it. If a team asks me to play right, I’m just going to get in there every day and work at it, make it second nature, make it like my left.”

Jones hasn’t played right tackle in any meaningful way since 2017 when he played up to two series at most in a game. The 6-7, 310-pounder has taken snaps in practice, but he has never started a game as a right tackle.

“If a team asks me to do it, I’m going to work at it, get better and be able to produce,” said Jones.

The Cougar probably won’t have the hometown story that former Texas A&M 12th Man Cullen Gullaspia had when the Houston Texans drafted him in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Jones is slated to go in the first round, and the Texans don’t have a pick until No. 57, deep in the second round. Even so, the Texans don’t exactly have a spot for Jones with Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil on the left side and 2019 first-round Tytus Howard, who made PFWA’s all-rookie team, on the right.

Whoever ends up with Jones, they are going to get an offensive lineman who has developed a mean streak along with refined technique after playing out his redshirt senior year.

“I just wanted to bury guys every single time I got out there,” said Jones. “My O-line coach, Brandon Jones, pushed me to do that, to be violent out there. I actually feel like that’s one thing I wasn’t showing on tape so far.”

If Jones goes in the first round, he could be the only player from a Texas college this year to go within the first 32 picks.

“I think I’m one of the best tackles in this draft,” Jones said. “Whatever team takes me, is gonna get a good ball player.”

Houston at Memphis college basketball odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Houston Cougars at Memphis Tigers sports betting odds and lines, with college basketball picks, tips and best bets.

The Houston Cougars (21-6) visit the Memphis Tigers (18-8) in a Saturday matinee at FedExForum. Tip-off will be shortly after 2 p.m. ET. We analyze the Houston-Memphis odds and betting lines, with college basketball betting advice and tips around this matchup.

Houston at Memphis: Three things you need to know

1. Houston is 3-3 over its last six road games. The No. 22-ranked team in the nation (USA Today Sports Coaches Poll) has, for the season, been solid away from home. Defensive metrics — especially field-goal defense and free-throw rate allowed — have slipped the most when UH is on the road. In a Feb. 15 loss at SMU, the Cougars allowed a 55.3% accuracy mark from the floor. For the season at large, Houston ranks second in the American Athletic Conference in allowing just 62.1 points per game.

2. Memphis was a little sloppy late in a Wednesday win which snapped a three-game losing streak. The Tigers allowed a late run to what should have been an overmatched East Carolina Pirates team. Late-game slips have been a recurrent theme over Memphis’ last four games. The AAC’s second-best offense (73.8 PPG) has struggled in those situations.

3. Memphis has been without solid two-way player D.J. Jeffries (knee) all month, and he’s not expected back until March. The scales get balanced somewhat by a Houston injury for this one. Quentin Grimes (hip) — the Cougars’ second-leading scorer and a solid defender — has been listed as doubtful.

Get some action on this college basketball matchup or others by placing a legal sports bet at BetMGM! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.

Houston at Memphis: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Houston 72, Memphis 68

Moneyline (ML)

We will PASS on the Houston (-139) play for better-value action below.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Houston is 4-1 in games when favored by fewer than five points. The Cougars are the more consistent squad and one playing near its best of late. Due in part to a couple key injuries, Memphis has fallen from what was a solid level of play in November and December.

HOUSTON -2.5 (-106) has decent value.

Over/Under (O/U)

The total here appears to be baking in injuries as one-sided dings against the offense. The particular players sidelined bring a lot to the other side of the ball, as well. Figure on the Cougars reaching the low 70s and winning by four or five points. The OVER 137.5 (-115) is a solid play.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Titans select Houston OT in NFL mock draft

There’s a number of ways Tennessee could begin to address its needs in the draft, including by bolstering the offensive line.

The Tennessee Titans come into the 2020 NFL Draft as relatively put-together team, just a few small tweaks away from becoming regular postseason contenders.

There’s a number of ways Tennessee could begin to address its needs in the draft, including by bolstering the offensive line.

That’s exactly what NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter predicts the team will do to kick things off in April.

He has the Titans taking Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones with the No. 29 overall pick in the first round.

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“The Titans will want a tough-minded right tackle to replace free agent Jack Conklin if he changes addresses,” he wrote. “Jones plays nasty and could easily swing to that side of the line.”

The Titans’ offensive line looked much-improved as the Titans made their AFC Championship run in 2019, but it hasn’t always been that way, and the team will want to keep things trending upward within the unit — especially if they do lose Conklin.

It will be interesting to see what the Titans do when they hit the clock when  the draft begins, but adding Jones to the roster certainly presents some positives for the offense.

The 6-foot-5, 311-pounder is raw but light on his feet, and his athletic ability makes him a notable asset.

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He started 36 games for the Cougars between 2016 and 2018 after redshirting in 2015.

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