The Tennessee Volunteers and the Houston Cougars meet Sunday in college basketball action from Lucas Oil Stadium. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Tennessee vs. Houston prediction.
Tennessee Recap
The Tennessee Volunteers come into the Elite Eight after booking their ticket thanks to a 78-65 win over Kentucky in the Sweet 16 last time out.
Vols Looking For First Final Four In Program History
Chaz Lanier leads the Vols in scoring with 17.7 PPG along with 3.8 RPG while Igor Milicic Jr. has 10 PPG with a team-high 6.9 RPG to lead the Vols on the glass. Zakai Zeigler has 13.8 PPG with 3.1 RPG and a team-high 7.3 APG to lead the Vols in the assist department up to this point in the year. Jordan Gainey has 11.4 PPG to round out the group of double-digit scorers for Tennessee up to this point in the year. Felix Okpara also has 7.3 PPG with 6.2 RPG as well on the year. As a team, Tennessee is averaging 74.7 PPG on 45.5% shooting from the field, 34% from three and 74.3% from the foul line this season.
Why the Tennessee Volunteers will win
- Tennessee has won each of its last 15 games against non-Conference opponents.
- Houston has lost each of its last three games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
Houston Recap
The Houston Cougars booked their spot in the Elite Eight thanks to their 62-60 win over Purdue in the Sweet 16 last time out.
Cougars Trying For First Final Four Spot Since 2021
L.J. Cryer leads the Cougars in scoring with 15.2 PPG while Emanuel Sharp has 12.5 PPG with 3.1 RPG. J’Wan Roberts has 10.7 PPG with a team-high 6.2 RPG to lead the Cougars on the glass up to this point in the year while Milos Uzan has added 11.6 PPG with 3 RPG and a team-high 4.3 APG to lead Houston in assists, rounding out the group of double-digit scorers for Houston so far this season. Terrance Arceneaux has 7.2 PPG with 2.9 RPG and Joseph Tugler’s added 5.4 PPG and 5.7 RPG. As a team, Houston’s averaging 74.2 PPG on 45.8% shooting from the field, 39.8% from three and 74.1% from the foul line this season.
Why the Houston Cougars will win
- Houston has won each of its last 16 games.
- Tennessee has lost four of its last five day games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Tennessee’s last nine games have produced a total of 125+ points.
- Each of Houston’s last nine games against the Southeastern Conference have produced a total of 132+ points.
Tennessee vs. Houston Prediction
I’m on Houston in this one. I think I’m at a point where I need a few more points to consider Tennessee in this spot, even though Houston was just in a close call against Purdue. The Cougars let Purdue hang around in that game after taking a huge second half lead, but I don’t think the Cougars have another mental lapse here. I think Tennessee has had a nice run but this just feels like another spot where they come up short. Give me Houston in this one to get back to the Final Four.