Houston (6-2) vs Toledo (6-4)
Game Info: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 8:00 pm (Fertitta Center)
The Line: Betting Odds: Houston -27.5 / Toledo +27.5 — Over/Under: 141.5
The Toledo Rockets are visiting the Houston Cougars on Wednesday, December 18th at the Fertitta Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Toledo Rockets vs Houston Cougars Prediction.
Houston Cougars Preview
The Houston Cougars have a 6-3 record this season and are coming off a 62-42 win over Troy. The Cougars are 4-5 against the spread, and 4-5 in over/under while having a 5-0 home record.
Offensively, Houston is averaging 77 points per game, which ranks 158th in the nation. Defensively, they allow just 56.4 points per game, which is the third-best in the nation. The Cougars shoot 45.4% from the field (174th) and 43.7% from beyond the arc, which is the third-best in the nation. The Cougars shoot 73.5% from the free-throw line (118th) and are grabbing 38.6 rebounds per game (85th).
LJ Cryer leads Houston in scoring this season, with an average of 16 points, while Emanuel Sharp adds 14.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Houston will meet Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Oklahoma State after this game.
Toledo Rockets Preview
The Toledo Rockets have a 6-4 record this season and are coming off an 87-93 loss to Youngstown State. The Rockets are 4-5 against the spread, and 6-3 in over/under while having a 2-2 road record.
Offensively, Toledo is averaging 81.2 points per game, which ranks 67th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 77.3 points per game (311th). The Rockets shoot 48.3% from the field (55th) and 34.9% from beyond the arc (134th). The Rockets shoot 69.8% from the free-throw line (227th) and are grabbing 34.5 rebounds per game (267th).
Sonny Wilson leads Toledo in scoring this season, with an average of 16.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and a team-high 3.5 assists, while Sam Lewis adds 13.9 points and a team-high 5.1 rebounds.
Why the Houston Cougars will win
- Houston has won each of its last 51 night games at Fertitta Center.
- Toledo has lost each of its last three games against non-conference opponents.
- Houston has won the first half in each of its last 37 night games at Fertitta Center.
Why the Toledo Rockets will win
- Toledo has won six of its last eight away games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
Toledo Rockets vs Houston Cougars Prediction
Houston has won both previous meetings against Toledo, but going 0-1-1 against the spread. In this Toledo Rockets vs Houston Cougars Prediction, Houston is coming as a -27.5 home favorite. Toledo is better offensively, scoring 4.2 points more than Houston, while Houston is better defensively, allowing 20.9 points less. The Cougars are winning by an average of 20.6 points, while the Rockets are by 3.9 points. Houston is the better team and rightfully favored, but the spread feels too big. Toledo has a better offense and superior field goal percentage, while Houston is just 1-4 against the spread in their last 5 games. I expect Toledo to keep this somewhat close, so take the Toledo Rockets by +27.5 points in this one.