UAB vs. Houston Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
The Cougars posted a lopsided 71-53 win over Memphis to repeat as ACC Tournament champions, and have won outright in nine of 10 overall. The Blazers punched their ticket to the Big Dance for the first time in seven years with an 82-73 win over Louisiana Tech in the C-USA Tournament final, and are unbeaten in seven straight.
The Cougars have emerged as strengthening 8.5-point favourites to win in the Friday Madness odds. The Blazers lag as +291 moneyline underdogs, while the total sits at 136.0.
UAB vs. Houston NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
Friday night’s matchup at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh is scheduled for 9:20pm ET, and marks the first meeting between these squads since the Cougars departed the C-USA in 2013. Houston claimed a 66-61 home win in their most recent clash in January 2013. However, the Blazers have historically dominated this rivalry, winning nine of 12 clashes.
Second-place finishers in the C-USA West standings with a 14-3 record, the Blazers have averaged 86.4 points per game over their past five outings. In addition to sparking a 3-1-0 run against the spread, UAB’s resurgence has also generated a 5-0-0 run for the OVER, and vaulted the squad to No. 27 in adjusted offensive efficiency at Kenpom. However, the team has won and covered in just one of their past five NCAA Tournament contests while averaging just 62.8 points per game.
The Cougars enjoyed a run to the Final Four last year, and looked poised to duplicate that feat at the AAC Tournament, tallying three straight wins by an average margin of 17 points. Perched at No. 4 in the Kenpom ratings, Houston has scored an average of 74.4 points during a 9-1 run, and has covered in eight of 10 while favoured by seven or more points.
UAB Blazers (12)
The Blazers needed triple-overtime to eke out a 102-98 win over Middle Tennessee in the C-USA Tournament semi-final. But this squad has otherwise manhandled opponents of late. The squad never looked back after spotting the Bulldogs an early one-point lead in Saturday’s tournament final, and have led at the half by an average margin of 7.3 points during their 7-0 run. Leading scorer Jordan Walker has upped his play down the stretch, averaging 26.7 points over his past six outings, and has also led the team in assists in seven straight contests.
Houston Cougars (5)
Injuries remain a concern for the Cougars, who lost leading scorer Marcus Sasser to a season-ending injury in December. Team leader Fabian White Jr. has also missed time recently due to a back injury, which has also cast doubt on his status for Friday. The senior big man ranks third on the team with 13.2 points per game, and has averaged 20.7 points over his past six full game appearances.
