Duke Blue Devils vs
Houston CougarsPredictions & Preview

Houston Cougars to Face Duke Blue Devils in South Region Sweet 16 Showdown in Dallas, Texas

The South Region Sweet 16 matchup in Dallas, Texas on Friday night will feature the top-seeded Houston Cougars facing off against the fourth-seeded Duke Blue Devils. The winner of this game will advance to the South Regional Final with a chance to move on to the Final Four. Duke earned their spot in Dallas by defeating James Madison in the second round, while Houston had a thrilling overtime victory over Texas A&M. The game is scheduled to tip off at 9:30 PM EST, with Houston being the betting favorite at -4, and the line has remained steady leading up to game time.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Blue Devils +164 | Cougars -190
• Spread: Blue Devils +4 (-110) | Cougars -4 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 134.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 66%.

Duke vs Houston Stats

Duke Blue Devils

The Duke Blue Devils defeated James Madison in a dominant 93-55 victory on Sunday night, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the 29th time in school history. Second-year head coach Jon Scheyer praised his team's competitiveness and credited Jared McCain for breaking the school record with eight 3-pointers in the game. Duke is now preparing to face the Cougars on Friday, boasting strong offensive and defensive stats in the tournament. The Blue Devils are ranked 41 in offense and 32 in defense, shooting 46% from the field and allowing just 38% shooting from the opposition. Duke is 26-8 this season and has a power ranking of 1.

Houston Cougars Analysis

The Houston Cougars are currently 32-4 on the season and have secured a spot in the Sweet 16 after a hard-fought victory against Texas A&M. Despite a late rally from the Aggies, the Cougars were able to come out on top in overtime with key contributions from Emanual Sharp, LJ Cryer, and Jamal Shead. Houston's head coach, Kelvin Sampson, noted the challenges faced in the game but praised the team's resilience. The Cougars are set to face Duke in their next matchup, with strong offensive and defensive statistics backing their success this season. The team's impressive performance in the tournament and their overall record against tournament teams highlight their capabilities as they pursue further success in the postseason.

Houston Cougars Poised to Dominate Duke in Friday Matchup

The Houston Cougars faced a tough challenge on Sunday, but they are poised to bounce back against Duke this Friday. Known for their physical style of play, the Houston team may present difficulties for the Blue Devils' guards. McCain has shown promise in the tournament, but he will face tough defensive play from the Houston backcourt, renowned for limiting opponents like Texas A&M's Taylor IV. The Cougars dominate in the paint, outscoring their opponents by 12 points in this tournament so far. Duke's rebounding, while solid, may not compare to Houston's ability to attack the glass on both ends of the court. With strong shooting and defensive prowess, the Cougars are favored to win this matchup. Having proven themselves against tournament teams this season, Houston is likely to come out victorious. Consider betting on Houston with a spread of -4.5 points.

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