Free College Basketball Picks Today: Houston Cougars vs Wichita State Shockers 3/2/23

The No. 1 Houston Cougars (27-2, 15-1 AAC), the country’s top scoring defense, play host to the Wichita State Shockers (15-13, 8-8 AAC) on Thursday. Wichita State topped the Tulane Green Wave 83-76 at Fogelman Arena in Devlin Fieldhouse on Sunday, their fifth consecutive win away from home.

Jaron Pierre Jr. had a standout performance with 28 points. The Shockers are sixth in the American Athletic Conference. Houston won their ninth in a row in dominant fashion on Saturday at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum, beating the East Carolina Pirates 76-57. Marcus Sasser had 22 points to top the scoresheet.

With 17 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks, J’Wan Roberts also had an impressive game. The Cougars are first in the American Athletic Conference.

It’s the last meeting of the season between the teams. After taking the only earlier season game against Wichita State 70-61 at Charles Koch Arena on February 2, their third straight head-to-head victory, Houston will be seeking a season sweep.

Jarace Walker and Marcus Sasser led the Cougars with 15 points apiece, while Jamal Shead contributed 13 points and seven assists. Jaykwon Walton had 24 points in the losing effort.The Shockers have been led this season by Walton and Craig Porter Jr., who are averaging 13.0 and 12.4 points per game, respectively.

Porter Jr. also is contributing 6.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.Sasser’s 17.0 points per game have powered the Cougars on offense. Roberts is collecting 7.4 rebounds per game, and Shead is recording 5.5 assists. The Cougars are holding opponents to 55.9 points per game, ranking as the best scoring defense in the NCAA.

In the last 10 games, Wichita State is 6-4 with an average margin of +2.5 (79.1-76.6). For the season, the Shockers are averaging 70.7 points per game, compared to 68.4 for opponents.

Houston has gone 9-1 over the last 10, scoring 76.0 points per game on average while holding opponents to 60.9 (+15.1 margin). The Cougars are averaging 76.1 ppg for the full season while allowing 55.9.

SHOCKERS HOT/COLD

(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Craig Porter Jr.: 30.4 | 22.9 | +7.5
Gus Okafor: 1.0 | 6.3 | -5.3
Points per game:
Kenny Pohto: 12.6 | 8.4 | +4.2
Assists per game:
Craig Porter Jr.: 7.2 | 4.4 | +2.8

COUGARS HOT/COLD

(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
J’Wan Roberts: 26.8 | 19.4 | +7.4
Terrance Arceneaux: 3.6 | 6.5 | -2.9
Points per game:
Marcus Sasser: 21.8 | 17.0 | +4.8
Jarace Walker: 8.0 | 10.7 | -2.7
Rebounds per game:
J’Wan Roberts: 10.2 | 7.4 | +2.8