Houston cougars vs Illinois Fighting Illini 3/20/2022 Picks Predictions

Houston cougars vs Illinois Fighting Illini 3/20/2022 Picks Predictions Previews

The #5 Houston Cougars will go against the #4 Illinois Fighting Illini in NCAAB action in Ppg Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, on Sunday, March 20, 2022, at 12:10 PM (EDT).

The Houston Cougars appeared to resolve the ship and are playing the type of basketball that had them firmly in the top ten before a two-game winless streak in early February dropped them down.

The depth of the Cougars is well chronicled, with the team going nearly the whole season without its top two returning scorers due to injuries, and now being without any players from last year’s Final Four squad. Despite this, they finished with a 30-5 record, won the American Conference Tournament, and are presently in the round of 32.

To defeat a dangerous UAB squad in the first round, the Cougars shot 53 percent from the field overall and 48 percent from the 3-point range.

In the win, the Cougars defense, which was ranked top in the country in opposition team field goal percentage, restricted UAB to 26% from 3-point range.

Kyler Edwards led Houston with 25 points, while big man Fabian White Jr. contributed 14 points after recovering from a back ailment. Jamal Shead, a sophomore point guard who was pressed into a starting role due to injuries at the start of the season, added 7 assists.

Head coach Kelvin Sampson urged more from his troops in the final 20 minutes after being frustrated with their defensive energy in the first half.

The University of Houston Cougars is 8-1 ATS in their last 9 matches.
Houston is 10-1 SU in their last 11 matches.
The Cougars are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 matches in the Big Ten Conference.

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Houston cougars vs Illinois Fighting Illini Predictions 3/20/2022

Illimis Malachi Smith jumper spun out as the buzzer rang, the Illini held on for a one-point win over Chattanooga. The victory kept Illinois from losing in the first round for the second year in a row.

Illinois trailed for 39 of the game’s 40 minutes until taking the lead with under 30 seconds left on two Alfonso Plummer free throws. With 17 points and 13 rebounds, including five on the offensive end, Kofi Cockburn topped the Illini. Plummer scored 15 points in total, including 13 of the team’s final 25.

Plummer struggled tremendously in the Big Ten Tournament versus Indiana, so it was a pleasing sight for Illini fans. In the come-from-behind victory, Illinois restricted UTC to just 32% shooting and 18% from the free-throw line.

Illinois averages 75 points per game while allowing 67 points per game. In terms of assist-to-turnover ratio, they are 49th in the country. Their offensive efficiency is 34th, and their total rebounding percentage is 27th.

The University of Illinois Fighting Illini is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 matches.
The total went UNDER in 4 of Illinois’ last 5 matches.
The total went OVER in 7 of Illinois’ last 9 matches as the underdog.

#5 Houston Cougars vs #4 Illinois Fighting Illini. The NCAAB pick for this game is the #5 Houston Cougars. In this contest, the Fighting Illini will have to make shots. If they score 54 points, they will not be able to keep up with the Cougars.

Houston will certainly use multiple defenders to assault Cockburn in the post, forcing him to find an open shooter. Due to foul difficulties and Houston’s lack of depth, I don’t think the Cougars will stick with White and Cockburn for the entire game. Houston will cycle the basketball on drives and kicks in search of three-pointers on offense.

This season, the Cougars took nearly 40% of their shots from long range, despite averaging just over 8 per game. For a lower payout, they will shoot the 3-ball at a high rate.

This season, Illinois improved its 3-point shooting efficiency, ranking 31st in the country in 3-point field goals made. They are struggling lately, and Plummer’s second-half surge was crucial.

The Fighting Illini will be unable to overcome Houston’s unrelenting pressure and formidable half-court defense in this contest. The Cougars will win to a predicted score of 70-65.

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