Free NCAA Hoops Pick: Vikings vs. Cougars CBB Odds
Looking for Cleveland State Vikings vs. Houston Cougars NCAA basketball free picks & CBB odds? CBB betting sees the Vikings taking on the Cougars on Friday, March 19th, 2021 at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all college basketball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily basketball predictions like this Vikings Cougars matchup.
2021 NCAA Basketball Handicapping
NCAA Tournament
(19-7) Cleveland State Vikings vs. Houston Cougars (24-3)
Date: Friday, March 19th
Time: 7:15 PM ET
Venue: Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Indiana
CBB Moneyline Odds: OFF
CBB Betting Odds: Houston -20
CBB Betting Total: 134.5
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Assembly Hall is the perfect backdrop for Friday’s matchup between Cleveland State. The Vikings won as a 14 seed over the team who calls Bloomington home, the Indiana Hoosiers who were a 3 seed.
Houston’s head coach Kelvin Sampson also has a history in Bloomington, coaching IU from 2006-2008 before he was forced to resign because of phone call sanctions.
Cleveland State Vikings
Cleveland State was the 2nd best team in the Horizon League during the regular season, but they were able to go on a run with three straight wins in the conference tourney, earning the automatic bid.
The Vikings were favored in their last four games of the season, but they managed to go just 2-2 over that span. Cleveland State did play #7 Ohio State in their nonconference schedule, faring fairly well in a 61-67 loss.
Cleveland State did go 14-2 over a 16 game stretch from December to February, but that’s one of their few positives heading into a matchup with one of the more explosive teams in the country.
The Vikings only had two players average in double figures during the regular season, but they do have some offensive talent. Torrey Patton could be a household name with a couple Cleveland State wins and Tre Gomillion has tallied 16+ in four straight.
Houston Cougars
The winner of Friday’s matchup could easily go on a run, with the slow tempo winner of Clemson vs. Rutgers waiting in the second round. Houston is a sleeper to go far, even with a 24-3 record on the year.
The Cougars have rattled off 7 wins in a row, and are on some sort of offensive renaissance scoring 80+ in six of their last 10. Quentin Grimes has led the way with 20+ points in 5 of the last 7 for Houston.
Marcus Sasser is also a surging force in the Houston offense, dropping 14+ in all three tournament games. Dejon Jarreau has also chipped in double digits in points in 9 of the last 10.
For as intimidating as their offense may be, it’s actually the defense that has been the Cougars’ calling card this season. Houston is 2nd in the country allowing 57.6, and holds opponents to the nation’s worst FG percentage (37%).
CBB Betting Trends:
- Vikings are 5-2 ATS last 7 as an underdog
- Over is 5-1 in Vikings last 6 overall
- Cougars are 6-1 ATS last 7 overall
- Under is 18-7-1 in Cougars last 26 tournament games
Free Cleveland State Vikings vs. Houston Cougars NCAAB Prediction:
It would be an interesting story for Sampson to make a run in the state where he was once revered and then later rejected.
Getting by a hot game from Torrey Patton is no sure thing though. Gomillion has also gotten hot, maybe not enough to win but to at least make this one respectable.
4* Free CBB Betting Pick: Cleveland State +20.5
Houston was 15-0 at home this season, but could easily come out flat in this neutral site game. Cleveland State can hang early in this one, but will probably run out of steam late.
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