The SMU Mustangs (9-17, 4-9 AAC) will try to break down the nation’s top scoring defense when they host the No. 2 Houston Cougars (23-2, 11-1 AAC) on Thursday. Houston dominated the Tulsa Golden Hurricane 80-42 at Fertitta Center on February 8, their fifth win in a row.
Marcus Sasser was the standout player with 25 points. The Cougars are first in the American Athletic Conference. SMU lost a close one on Sunday at Charles Koch Arena, falling to the Wichita State Shockers 91-89 in double overtime.
Zhuric Phelps had 26 points and seven steals in the loss to lead the team. The Mustangs are eighth in the American Athletic Conference. The teams are meeting for the last time this season. After winning the only earlier season matchup against SMU 87-53 at Fertitta Center on January 5, Houston will be seeking a season sweep.
Jarace Walker led the Cougars with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Efe Odigie had 14 points in defeat. Sasser is averaging 16.4 points per game to lead the Cougars in scoring this season.
Meanwhile, J’Wan Roberts is grabbing 7.0 rebounds per game, and Jamal Shead is dishing 5.6 assists. Phelps’ 16.7 points per game have powered the Mustangs on offense. Samuell Williamson is averaging 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
Holding opponents to 55.0 points per game, the Cougars are the best scoring defense in the nation. The Mustangs have had success in the Cougars’ last 10 visits to Moody Coliseum, winning six.
Houston is 9-1 in the last 10 games with an average margin of +15.2 (76.5-61.3). For the season, the Cougars are averaging 75.6 points per game, compared to 55.0 for opponents.
SMU has gone 3-7 over the last 10, allowing 79.0 points per game on average while scoring only 73.9 (-5.1 margin). The Mustangs are averaging 70.2 ppg for the full season while allowing 74.7.
COUGARS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Jarace Walker: 25.0 | 18.9 | +6.1
Ja’Vier Francis: 4.4 | 9.9 | -5.5
Points per game:
Jarace Walker: 17.2 | 11.1 | +6.1
Rebounds per game:
Tramon Mark: 5.8 | 4.5 | +1.3
Assists per game:
Jamal Shead: 8.2 | 5.6 | +2.6
MUSTANGS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Stefan Todorovic: 6.2 | 9.5 | -3.3
Points per game:
Samuell Williamson: 11.0 | 8.6 | +2.4
Stefan Todorovic: 4.4 | 6.3 | -1.9
Assists per game:
Samuell Williamson: 3.6 | 2.8 | +0.8
SportsTips’ College Basketball Pick:
Houston -15.5 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
