The Syracuse Orange have been overachieving this season. A win away from an Elite Eight appearance, the Orange will take on the Houston Cougars, who have shown incredible resiliency in their most recent game. Check out our preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the Syracuse Orange vs Houston Cougars NCAA College Basketball Game on March 27 2021
Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
When: Sunday, March 27, 2021, 9:25 PM ET
Line: Syracuse Orange (+6.5) vs. Houston Cougars (-6.5) – view all 2021 NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: TBS
Betting on the Syracuse Orange (+6.5)
Record: 18-9 Overall / 9-7 Conference
Syracuse is suddenly orange-hot. The Orange followed up on their 78-62 upset win over the San Diego Aztecs in the first round with a 75-72 win over the West Virginia Mountaineers in the second round. Syracuse has done all that by relying on its outside shot. The Orange has been shooting the lights out from deep of late. They have made an average of 12.2 threes on a 43.9 percent success rate over their last four games, dating back to the ACC tournament. It’s almost like Syracuse has become a completely different team from the one that didn’t even look like it was going to make the Big Dance months ago. With that kind of shooting, their renowned 2-3 zone defense, and the experience of head coach Jim Boeheim, this Syracuse team is a threat to any team, higher seed or not.
Syracuse is 6-0 against the spread in its last six games. The over is 11-2 in the Orange’s last 13 games in a neutral location.
Betting on the Houston Cougars (-6.5)
Record: 26-3 Overall / 14-3 Conference
Houston was circling down the drain late in its second-round matchup against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, but managed to pull off a 63-60 come-from-behind win to advance to the Sweet Sixteen round. Quentin Grimes saved the day for Houston. With usual reliables Marcus Sasser struggling with his shot and Dejon Jarreau hurting, Grimes led the team and finished with 22 points with five 3-pointers. The defense was still there for Houston, which limited Rutgers to only 44.0 percent shooting. Houston cuts shooting spaces fast and plays the plays with intense in-your-face defense. It is 11th in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency with just 89.9 points allowed per 100 possession and 12th overall in 3-point defense. Houston has what it takes to silence Syracuse’s outside shooting.
Houston is 8-2 against the spread in its last 10 games as a favorite in a neutral location. The under is 11-3 in the Cougars’ last 14 games on a Saturday.
Writer’s Prediction
Houston wins, 77-72.
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