UTEP vs Houston NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/19/2019

Game: UTEP Miners vs Houston Cougars

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2019

Location: Fertitta Center in Houston, TX

TV: TBA

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -10

Total/Over-Under: 126

The UTEP Miners travel to Fertitta Center to play the Houston Cougars on Thursday, December 19, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 10 point favorites.

UTEP comes into this game with an overall record of 8-1. They currently have a point differential of 11.7 as they are averaging 71.1 points per game while giving up 59.4 per contest. Houston has an overall record of 6-3. They are averaging 77.8 points per game and surrendering 67.6, good for a point differential of 10.2.

Valuable UTEP Miners Betting Trends

The UTEP Miners are 4-1-0 against the spread

The UTEP Miners are 1-4-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Cougars Betting Trends

The Houston Cougars are 3-6-0 against the spread

The Houston Cougars are 5-4-0 against the over/under

Key UTEP Miners Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Houston Cougars Injuries

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

Player Spotlight

Bryson Williams comes into this contest averaging 19.9 points per game while playing 26.2 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 83%. Souley Boum averages 11.6 points per game in 31.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.3 assists per contest and 3.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 37% for the year while his free throw percentage is 94%.

Player Spotlight

Quentin Grimes averages 15.0 points per game while playing 31.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.1 rebounds per game and has 2.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 70%. Nate Hinton averages 13.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 9.2 rebounds per contest and 1.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

UTEP averages 71.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 203rd in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 11.7 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 101st. Behind the arc they shoot 31% which is good for 253rd in the nation. They average 34.6 rebounds per game and 14.1 assists per game, which ranks them 250th and 130th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 140th with 14.1 per game. The Miners allow 59.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the country. They also allow a 38% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the arc, ranking them 44th and 81st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 33.1 rebounds a game which ranks 96th and they give up 7.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 4th place in Division 1. They force 17.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 313th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 67th in the country with 77.8 points per game this year. They are 138th in Division 1 in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 10.2. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 91st in the nation. They are 7th in the NCAA in rebounding with 43.2 boards per game, and 181st in assists per contest with 13.3. The Cougars are 284th in turnovers per game with 12.2. The Cougars surrender 67.6 points per contest, which ranks them 160th in D-1. Their defense allows a 39% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 57th and 232nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 208th with 12.9 assists allowed per contest and 64th with 32.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cougars are 10th in country in forcing turnovers with 10.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Miners have an offensive rating of 102.4, which is ranked 166th. They are 234th in college basketball in pace with 69.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 119th. As a unit they are 69th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 160th in D-1. UTEP is 82nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 18.3 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 306th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.6 times per 100 possessions. The Cougars are 22nd in the country in offensive rating with 113.5. In terms of pace they are 263rd in Division 1 with 68.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 146th. As a team they are 129th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 241st in the nation.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Houston -10

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