Miami basketball early three possession underdog versus Houston
The Miami basketball team has opened as a 6.5-point underdog in its Midwest Regional Semifinal game on Friday night at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Houston is the number one seed in the Midwest Region. The Cougars and Hurricanes both lost in the 2022 NCAA Tournament regional finals.
Miami was eliminated from the 2022 NCAA Tournament by Kansas. Houston lost to Villanova in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Houston enters the game on Friday with a 33-3 record. The Cougars were ranked first in the final regular season USA Today Coaches Poll and second behind Alabama in the AP Top 25.
Miami finished 15th in the final regular season USA Today Coaches Poll and 16th in the AP Top 25. The Hurricanes have a huge task against an elite Cougars’ defense. Houston is second nationally allowing 56.6 points per game. The Cougars lead the nation holding teams to 36.145 percent shooting from the field.
Miami is going to need an efficient offensive performance to defeat Houston. Only two teams shot over 50 percent versus Houston this season. Wichita State made 64.9 percent of its shots in an 83-66 loss on March 2. Memphis made 50.9 percent of its shots in a 75-65 win in the ACC Championship Game on March 12.
Miami basketball vs. Houston early NCAA Tournament Fan Duel Odds
Spread: Miami +6.5 (-104) Houston -6.5 (-118) Total: 138.5 Over Under (-115) Moneyline: Miami +230 Houston -285
The Miami basketball team had 15 games this season shooting 50 percent or better. The Hurricanes shot 48.6 percent in the win over Indiana, but just 30.4 percent in the first-round victory over Drake. Miami overcame the poor shooting performance versus Drake by making 23 of its 29 free throw attempts.
Miami had a 45-29 rebounding advantage versus Indiana. Houston finished seventh nationally with a rebounding margin of 7.5. Miami was 75th with a 3.1 rebounding margin. Norchad Omier will have to continue dominating on the boards. Omier is second in the NCAA Tournament with 31 rebounds through two games.
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No player props are available via FanDuel as of Monday evening. The line is not likely to change much ahead of Friday barring any major changes with either team. Houston is the major favorite at -115 to emerge from the Midwest Region and make the Final Four. Miami has the longest odds to win the Midwest Regional at +700.