The Houston Cougars (26-3) take on the Syracuse Orange (18-9) in a Midwest Region Sweet 16 game Saturday night. The second-seeded Cougars and 11th-seeded Orange will tip-off at 9:55 p.m. ET at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Below, we analyze the Houston-Syracuse odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.
With their offense leading the way, the Cougars reeled off seven straight wins before heading to Indiana. After wins over Cleveland State and Rutgers — the latter via a monster comeback late in the game — the Cougar win streak now stands at nine.
Over those nine straight wins, Houston has been improved in taking care of the basketball with just 8.2 turnovers per contest and in launching it from beyond the 3-point arc (37.8% accuracy).
A peaking-at-the-right-time Syracuse five is 5-1 over its last six games and 8-3 over its last 11. G Buddy Boeheim has had the hot hand in that Orange surge. Boeheim — who has scored 55 points in the tournament — has averaged 24.2 points over his last nine games. Over its two tourney wins, the Orange outshot their foes (San Diego State and West Virginia), 53.5% to 36.5%.
Houston vs. Syracuse: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at noon ET.
- Money line: Houston -275 (bet $275 to win $100) | Syracuse +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
- Against the spread/ATS: Houston -6 (-110) | Syracuse +6 (-110)
- Over/Under: 140 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Houston vs. Syracuse: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Houston 74, Syracuse 70
Money line (ML)
The Cougars are the more talented team at both ends of the floor, but the lean on the ATS play is toward Syracuse. Houston (-275) may offer a sliver of value for the straight-up win.
Consider middling the play by taking Syracuse plus the points and Houston outright if the price on the Cougars should fall a bit.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The Orange have strung together some high-level performances this month, and their offensive trend line is particularly impressive. Syracuse is 6-0 ATS in March and four of those covers have been by ATS margins of 7-plus points.
The Cougars are unaccustomed to a five-day layoff; the last time they had one was followed by an ATS disaster against Wichita State Feb. 18. Conversely, SU has put up solid shooting numbers following recent layoffs.
Syracuse has fared well lately against slow-down styles like the one played by Houston in recent ATS wins against San Diego State, Virginia and Clemson. Peg the Orange as getting this one close to one-possession territory.
BACK SYRACUSE +6 (-110).
Over/Under (O/U)
This total figures as perhaps 3 points too low. The Syracuse offense deserves enough respect to lean both teams into the 70s.
BACK THE OVER 140 (-110).
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