Houston Looks Tough To Beat in the Charleston Classic Final
Dayton used a strong second half to take down Rick Pitino’ and St. John’s to advance to the Charleston Classic championship matchup. However, the NCAAB picks favor Houston to remain undefeated and to win the title.
The last time Dayton was a double-digit underdog came in 2021 when the Flyers stunned Kansas, 74-73. The Cougars have failed to cover in seven of their last eight games when favored by at least 10 points.

Before the Houston-Dayton game, St. John’s will meet Utah in the third-place game with Utah favored by five points. In the fifth-place game, LSU meets Wake Forest while the day’s festivities begin with a North Texas-Towson matchup. The college basketball picks today currently have Houston as a 12½-point favorite.
Dayton’s Anthony Grant went 2-0 against Houston when he coached at Virginia Commonwealth.
Guard Malachi Smith is expected to miss the 2023-24 season as a result of a knee injury for Dayton while Houston looks to be in pretty good shape from the injury department.
When looking at the college basketball futures odds, Dayton came into the season priced at +300 to win the Atlantic-10 title with Houston (+350) second only to Kansas in the odds of winning the Big 12 title.
Houston (+2000) is tied for ninth in the best odds of winning the national title with Dayton well back at +30000 in the championship odds.
Houston moved up one spot to No. 6 in the Associated Press poll with the Cougars also coming in sixth in the coaches poll. Dayton is not receiving votes in either of the college basketball rankings.
Dayton Looks To Hit the Glass
Dayton ranks near the bottom of the national rankings in rebounds, offensive rebounds, and defensive rebounds. That could come into play versus a Houston team that is in the top 25 nationally in offensive rebounds per game.
Pittsburgh transfer Nate Santos is the top rebounder for Dayton pulling down 8.3 per game after playing sparingly a season ago for the Panthers.
Leading scorer DaRon Holmes adds 6 rebounds per game. However, he is shooting a career-low 41.5% from the field after connecting on 64.9% and 59% of his shots in his first two seasons with the Flyers.
The total has gone under in 10 of Dayton’s last 15 games.
Sophomore Looking Sharp for the Cougars
After scoring in double figures in a reserve role as a freshman, Emanuel Sharp has started three of Houston’s first five games. His scoring average has jumped from 5.9 to 13.4 points per game.
Sharp had 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals in 28 minutes in a Charleston Classic semifinal win over Utah.
Houston forced 15 turnovers and limited Utah to 36% shooting in the 10-point win with the Cougars looking to turn up the defensive pressure against Dayton as well.
The Cougars, one of 10 undefeated teams in the Big 12, has won each of its first five games by at least 10 points.
IT’S 🏀 GAME DAY in CHARLESTON! 🐾
🏀 vs Dayton
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Houston is second nationally in scoring defense and in the top 25 in scoring margin
Houston has covered against the college basketball spread in 4 of its last 14 games.
Cougars Look To Keep Rolling
Houston’s recent track record as a double-digit favorite is not that impressive and that might cause some who bet online to pause before going with Houston as a 12½-point favorite.
However, the Cougars look like the real deal and Dayton hasn’t looked overly impressive in wins over LSU and St. John’s in the tournament. The rebounding struggles are a real concern.
Houston has covered in 13 of its last 21 games at neutral sites compared to a 7-7 record by Dayton in those contests during that stretch. When looking at the outright results, Houston has won 17 of its last 21 neutral-site games with Dayton going 9-5.
Despite Houston’s strong defensive numbers, plenty of money has been coming in on the game going over the 128½-point total.
Houston has been favored in each of its first five games and covered in each of those contests. Dayton has failed to cover against the college basketball betting lines in its only game this season as the underdog.
It is hard to pick against Houston, even with the double-digit point spread when it comes to the NCAAB picks today.
College Basketball Pick: Houston Cougars -12½
Dayton vs Houston Game Information
- Game: Dayton (3-1) vs Houston (5-0)
- Location: TD Arena, Charleston, SC
- Date/Time: Sunday, Nov. 19, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Dayton vs Houston Live Stream:TBS.com
Dayton vs Houston Betting Lines
Questions of the Day
Which factors should be considered to place a bet on the Charleston Classic Final?
Houston has been putting up some impressive defensive numbers while Dayton is one of the worst rebounding teams in the country.
What Charleston Classic Final prediction has the best value?
Houston as a 12½-point favorite is drawing plenty of action heading into the title game of the Charleston Classic.