Houston vs. Arizona NCAAB Odds and Preview – March 24th, 2022

By Hank Blaine • March 23, 2022

Michigan hopes to continue their Final Four quest on Thursday when the 11-seed Wolverines take on 2-seed Villanova in a South Region Sweet 16 matchup. The Wolverines are -5 underdogs versus the Wildcats. Will Villanova prove why so many believe they will win the 2022 March Madness Tournament? Or will the Wolverines continue their Cinderella story?

Before all else, Nitrobetting takes a peek at important game details that help you lock in on the best picks. Below, you can find event information, team and player stats, and the latest College Basketball odds. We also have timely betting trends and predictions at your disposal.

Houston vs. Arizona 2022 March Madness Sweet 16 Game Information

San Antonio ✈️✈️#BearDown #RunWithUs pic.twitter.com/4069XYJHUj
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) March 22, 2022

When: Thursday, March 24, 2022, 9:59 PM ET
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
TV: TBS
Radio: KPRC 950-AM (Houston) / KFNX 1100 AM (Arizona)
Live Stream: March Madness Live
NCAAB Betting Odds: Houston (+1.5) / Arizona (-1.5)

Why Bet on the Houston Cougars?

Defense, defense, and more defense. The Houston Cougars allow an average of 58.9 points per game. Opponents shoot 37.2% from the field and 29.6% from three versus the Cougars. Houston held Illinois to 34% from the field and 24% from three. The Illini scored just 53 points even though they shot the ball 50 times from the field and 25 times from behind the arc. Arizona hasn’t seen a defense as effective as what they’ll face on Thursday night.

Why Bet on the Arizona Wildcats?

Arizona can play any style required to win. The Wildcats can run and gun, they average 84.7 points per, or they can slow it down, AZ allows 66.7 points each contest. Opponents shoot 38.2% from the field and 31.5% from three versus the Wildcats. So if Houston wants to play a possession game, AZ will do so.

One advantage Arizona has is they can post up two 7’ 0” centers. Oumar Bello is 7-feet. Christian Koloko is 7-feet and an inch. Houston will have to double either. So if U-of-A coach Tommy Lloyd plays both at the same time, the Cougars will have major issues keeping Arizona from second chance shots as well as scoring in the paint.

Houston vs. Arizona Betting Trends

Houston is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 games.
Houston is 5-0 SU in the last 5 games.
The total went over in 6 of Michigan’s last 7 games.
Arizona is 8-0 SU in the last 8 games.
Arizona is 8-0 SU in the last 8 games.
The total went over in 7 of Arizona’s last 8 games.

Houston vs. Arizona Expert Betting Predictions

The Cougars are scrappy, shoot the three well, play unbelievable defense, and frustrate their opponents into bad shots. Not only that, but Arizona required overtime to get past the TCU Horned Frogs.

Then again, Arizona’s reluctance to lose could be what gets the incredibly talented Wildcats into gear. The biggest issue the Cougars will have versus Arizona is deciding on which player to take out of the offense.

Koloko and Bello are both dominant. Benedict Mathurin can score from anywhere on the court. Dalen Terry, Justin Kier, and Azuolas Tubelis can make their own shot. So can Kerr Kriisa and Pelle Larsson.

Houston beat Illinois because they knew the Illini’s best chance of winning was to dump the ball to front court star Kofi Cockburn. AZ doesn’t have to dump the ball to Koloko or Bello.

U-of-A can beat the Cougars with their guards. Yes, Arizona has yet to face a team that plays defense as well as Houston. But the Cougars have yet to face a team with as many offensive weapons as the Arizona Wildcats. U-of-A takes this SU and ATS.

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more NCAAB game previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Basketball betting odds on the sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.