Tulane (17-7) at Houston (25-2)
When: Wednesday, February 22nd 2023
Where: Fertitta Center,
Houston, TX
Time: 9:00 ET | TV: ESPNU
Opening Odds: Houston -15.5/144.5
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The Tulane Green Wave have had a remarkable season thus far, but there’s still one team standing in their way in the American Athletic Conference – the No. 1 ranked Houston Cougars. The Green Wave will get their second crack at the top team in the country when they visit Houston on Wednesday night. Back on Jan. 17, the Green Wave fought hard at home and made it a close game early in the second half before Houston pulled away for an 80-60 win. Tulane was getting 10.5 points in that contest and are 15.5-point underdogs this time around. The Green Wave average 82.3 points a game, but were stifled by the Cougar defense in the first meeting. Houston limited Tulane to 40 percent shooting from the field and 6-of-26 from beyond the arc.
That meeting was the second time Houston had been ranked No. 1 in the country. They claimed that spot for the third time on Monday and after beating SMU and Memphis last week. The Cougars didn’t cover either contest as a double-digit favorite and allowed Memphis to make it a close game before the Cougars pulled away for a 72-64 win. Houston can clinch a share of the AAC with a win over Tulane Wednesday and ride a seven-game winning streak. When favored between 12.5 and 19.5 points, the Cougars are 0-7 ATS.
This is Tulane’s second five-game winning streak of the season after beating South Florida 84-66 on Saturday. The Green Wave took a five-game streak into the first meeting with Houston. The Green Wave missed all seven of their 3-point attempts in the first half against South Florida after not playing a game for 11 days. Jalen Cook finished with a career-high 30 points including 17 before halftime. Tulane turned the ball over only four times and recorded 11 steals against the Bulls. The lead shrunk to 58-52 before the Green Wave responded with a 22-4 run. Tulane has already matched their conference win total from last season and still have five games remaining before the AAC Tournament.
Houston went on a 17-3 in the first half on Sunday to build an 11-point lead at the break. Then Memphis went on a run and got within four points at first TV timeout of the second half before the Cougars seized control for good. Senior guard Marcus Sasser scored 20 points and hit all eight of his free throws – all in the second half. J’Wan Roberts also scored 20 points – a career-high – and grabbed 12 rebounds. The Cougars were cold from beyond the arc (3-of-17) but made up for it by forcing 18 turnovers that led to 22 points. Houston is No. 1 in the country in points allowed at 55.7 and second in defensive field goal percentage (35.8 percent).
Houston obviously should win this game, but Tulane is playing well and have the offense to keep this one relatively close. The Cougars aren’t great at covering these big spreads.
Pick: Tulane +15.5
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