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College Basketball

UAB Blazers vs. Houston Cougars Picks, Predictions, Odds

Joe Hedrick Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read

The UAB Blazers (27-7) will take on the Houston Cougars (29-5) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Friday’s tipoff is scheduled for 9:20 PM ET at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and can be viewed on TNT.  

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Score Prediction

Houston 74, UAB 64 

Best Bet

Houston - 8.5 (-110)

NCAA Tournament Expert Picks | NIT Tournament Picks

MARCH MADNESS BETTING RESOURCES

UAB BLAZERS vs. HOUSTON COUGARS PREDICTIONS

UAB enters this matchup as C-USA champions and winners of eight of their last 10 games. The championship did not come easy as they went to three overtimes with Middle Tennessee in the semifinal round. UAB has not seen a top-25 opponent all season, so it's tough judge how they’ll match up with Houston. One thing is for certain, this team can score with an average of 80.7 PPG.  

Houston dominated the AAC Tournament, winning by an average of 16.0 PPG. Since their loss to Memphis in the last game of the season this team has been playing outstanding basketball. Not to say they haven’t been great all season, but this team seems to be clicking on both sides of the ball and the chemistry is there.  

I don’t think this one will be a classic 12-5 upset. The Cougars held a Memphis team that averages 75.4 PPG to just 53 in the AAC title game and have all the confidence headed into this game. If the Cougars can keep the pace of this game under control, they should win by 10-12 here. Laying the points with Houston.  

UAB BLAZERS vs. HOUSTON COUGARS BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds

UAB BLAZERS vs. HOUSTON COUGARS BETTING RESOURCES

  • Date: Friday, March 18, 2022
  • Matchup: No. 12 vs. No. 5
  • Region: South
  • Venue: PPG Paints Arena
  • Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • TV-Time: TNT - 9:20 p.m. ET

UAB BLAZERS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 27-7
  • ATS: 18-13-1
  • O/U: 21-11

The Blazers have been profitable this season with an ATS record of 18-13-1. In their last 10 games the Blazers have gone 8-2 SU, 4-6 ATS, and had an O/U record of 7-3. The total has gone over in 21 of the Blazers 32 games including five straight.  

UAB’s offense is led by junior guard Jordan Walker who averages 20.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4.8 APG, and 40.3 FG%. Walker is coming off a monster 27-point performance in the C-USA Championship. As a team the Blazers 80.7 PPG, 46.9 FG%, 38.0 FG%, 13.1 APG, and 38,4 RPG. UAB will have to be careful with the basketball after committing 16 turnovers in their last game. Houston’s defense is one of the best in the country and will make you pay if you’re not careful.  

UAB’s defense enters this matchup allowing opponents 66.3 PPG, 46.8 FG%, and 38.0 3PT% while averaging 9.7 SPG and 4.3 BPG. UAB’s defense will need to be at their best going against a Houston offense that averages 75.8 PPG.  

HOUSTON COUGARS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 29-5
  • ATS: 22-12
  • O/U: 15-19

Houston has rewarded bettors with an ATS record of 22-12 this season. In their last 10 games the Cougars are 9-1 SU, 8-2 ATS, and had an O/U record of 3-7. The total has gone over in 15 of the cougars 34 games including four of their last five.  

The Cougars offense has continued to find ways to win, and more importantly cover since Marcus Sasser was injured on December 22nd. This season Houston has averaged 75.8 PPG, 48.9 FG%, 34.1 3PT%, 16.7 APG, and 39.2 RPG. Kyler Edwards has been huge in the absence of Marcus Sasser, averaging 13.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.2 APG, and 36.9 FG%. Houston’s offense plays fast, slow, however the game is being played they find a way to adjust accordingly.  

The Cougars defense has been great all season and are one of the best in the NCAA. On the season they have allowed opponents 58.9 PPG, 37.3 FG%, 34.1 3PT%, 8.2 SPG, and 5.2 BPG. The Cougars top priority in this one will be to slow down Jordan Walker and force turnovers.  

UAB has scored 68 points or more in 21 of its last 22 games. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - UAB BLAZERS

  • Record: 27-7
  • PS/G: 80.7 (6th)
  • PA/G: 66.3 (91st)

INSIDE THE STATS - HOUSTON COUGARS

  • Record: 29-5
  • PS/G: 75.8 (54th)
  • PA/G: 58.9 (4th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • UAB: Jordan Walker - G (20.4 ppg, 4.8 apg)
  • UAB: Quan Jackson - G (12 ppg, 5.9 ppg)
  • UH: Kyler Edwards - (13.6 ppg, 6 rpg)
  • UH: Fabian White - F (13.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg)

UAB BLAZERS vs. HOUSTON COUGARS BETTING CONCLUSION

The Blazers have been great this season, but I think Houston will get the best of them here. The Cougars are on a roll and ran through the AAC Tournament. Coach Sampson has this team playing at their best and I’ll back that any day of the week. Laying the points with Houston in this one.  

MARCH MADNESS PICK RESOURCES

UAB BLAZERS vs. HOUSTON COUGARS BETTING TRENDS

  • Houston has won seven of its last 10 NCAA Tournament games.
  • Houston has allowed 62 points or less in seven of its last eight NCAA Tournament games.
  • Houston has won three straight First Round NCAA Tournament games.
  • Houston has covered the spread in six of its last seven games when playing on a neutral court.
  • UAB has lost four of its last five games.
  • UAB has covered the spread in four of its last five games when playing on a neutral court. 
  • UAB has won seven straight games.

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