Houston vs South Carolina NCAA Basketball Tips 12/8/2019

Game: Houston Cougars vs South Carolina Gamecocks

Date: Sunday, December 8, 2019

Location: Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC

TV: ESPNU

Odds/Point Spread: South Carolina +2

Total/Over-Under: 148

The Houston Cougars travel to Colonial Life Arena to play the South Carolina Gamecocks on Sunday, December 8, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 2 point favorites.

Houston heads into this matchup with a mark of 4-2. They currently have a point differential of 11.7 as they are averaging 83.0 points per contest while giving up 71.3 per game. South Carolina has an overall mark of 6-3. They are averaging 72.7 points per contest and giving up 65.6, which is a point differential of 7.1.

Valuable Houston Cougars Betting Trends

The Houston Cougars are 2-4-0 against the spread

The Houston Cougars are 5-1-0 against the over/under

Important South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Trends

The South Carolina Gamecocks are 4-5-0 against the spread

The South Carolina Gamecocks are 5-3-1 against the over/under

Key Houston Cougars Injuries

11/16/19 F J'Wan Roberts Hand is out for season

Key South Carolina Gamecocks Injuries

11/05/19 F Keyshawn Bryant Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Fabian White Jr. averages 12.5 points per game in 26.0 minutes per contest. He averages 0.7 assists per contest and 7.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 53% for the year while his free throw percentage is 73%. Quentin Grimes comes into this contest averaging 16.8 points per game while playing 31.5 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is at 71%.

Player Spotlight

Jermaine Cousinard averages 10.1 points per game and he sees the court an average of 22.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.1 rebounds per contest and 2.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 87%. A.J. Lawson averages 16.6 points per game while playing 28.6 minutes per contest. He grabs 3.1 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Cougars allow 71.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 241st in Division 1. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 161st and 314th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.5 rebounds a game which ranks 54th, and they give up 13.3 assists per contest which puts them in 236th place in the NCAA. They force 12.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 54th in the nation. Houston averages 83.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 18th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 11.7 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 79th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 100th in D-1. They average 43.2 rebounds per game and 13.7 assists per contest, which ranks them 11th and 165th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 328th with 11.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Gamecocks surrender 65.6 points per contest, which ranks them 120th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 38% shooting percentage and a 29% average from 3-point range, ranking them 32nd and 69th in those defensive statistics. They rank 91st with 11.1 assists allowed per contest, and 104th with 33.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Gamecocks are 220th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 14.9 per game. South Carolina is 167th in the country with 72.7 points per game this year. They are 163rd in the D-1 in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 7.1. They shoot 28% from 3-point range, which is good for 326th in the nation. They are 104th in the country in rebounding with 38.6 boards per game and 103rd in assists per contest with 14.6. The Gamecocks are 233rd in turnovers per game with 13.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Cougars have an offensive rating of 117.5, which is ranked 6th. They are 179th in college basketball in pace with 70.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 104th. As a unit they are 87th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 276th in D-1. Houston is 340th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

South Carolina is 274th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.3 times per 100 possessions. The Gamecocks are 198th in the country in offensive rating with 100.6. In terms of pace they are 116th in Division 1 with 72.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 241st. As a team they are 283rd in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 50% and they shoot 3-pointers on 28% of their shots, ranking 337th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Houston/South Carolina college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take South Carolina +2

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