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South Florida vs Houston Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds and Picks
Cougars Ascend to No. 1 Spot
Should Top-Ranked Cougars Worry About Bulls?
The South Florida Bulls are the latest team from the AAC to get a crack at the No. 1 Houston Cougars. But it will be very tough for any team in the American Athletic Conference to take down Houston.
At the same time, the beauty and intrigue of college basketball flow from the reality that a team just has to be better for 40 minutes, not for a whole best-of-seven-game series.
Those who bet online should note that the Bulls are just 7-9 on the year, so springing this upset would be massive. Are they able to pull this off and cover the college basketball odds?
Let’s check the latest college basketball odds, stats, injury reports and college basketball lines for South Florida vs Houston. We’ve plenty of NCAA basketball odds for you to consider.
Bulls Have Dropped Three Straight
South Florida started the year out losing five straight, then won seven of eight, but have now lost three in a row. Sunday’s loss was particularly stinging and could impact their psyche here.
The Bulls had everything lined up as they led Wichita State 54-42 with 10:10 left in regulation at home on Sunday afternoon. They still led 60-53 with 4:40 remaining.
They controlled most of the game and had boxed in Wichita State to the point that the Shockers needed nearly everything to go right in the closing minutes.
That’s exactly what happened.
South Florida scored only two points in the next four minutes of the game. The Bulls fell behind 67-62 with 30 seconds remaining and ultimately lost 70-66. South Florida has had a lot of offensive meltdowns late in games over the past several seasons.
The Bulls also let a late lead slip away against Memphis earlier in the season. They can play really well for 35 minutes, but not all 40, and it’s those final five minutes that continue to be a thorn in this program’s side.
Cougars Defense Leads the Way
Houston is taking names in the AAC. The Cougars went on the road and built a big lead at Cincinnati before coasting home with an easy, uncomplicated 72-59 win.
It is just so hard to score on Houston, as it has one of the best defenses in the country, guided by head coach Kelvin Sampson. He teaches effort and good habits better than just about anyone else in the nation.
That effort and intensity – consistently delivered for 40 minutes – is what makes Houston so tough and why the Cougars are the No. 1 team in the new poll after Purdue lost to Rutgers last week.
If the team can win all of its AAC regular season games, it will be in a position to get a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. So how exactly is South Florida going to compete here? It makes it hard to fathom taking them in the sportsbook.
South Florida vs Houston Game Injuries
South Florida vs Houston Head-to-Head
These two schools last met in 2022. Houston won 74-55.
South Florida vs Houston Game Information
- Game: South Florida (7-9, 0-3 AAC) vs Houston (16-1, 4-0)
- Location: Fertitta Center, Houston, TX
- Day/Time: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 8:00 p.m. ET
- South Florida vs Houston Live stream: TBS.com
South Florida vs Houston Betting Lines
South Florida vs Houston Picks and Prediction
Houston is in a class of its own in the AAC and South Florida definitely does not have the offensive weapons to challenge the Cougars.
Houston should roll here, just as it has for most of the season. It’s a big line, but Houston can clamp down and make sure South Florida is kept at arm’s length. Take the Cougars with your college basketball picks.
