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Mikaylah Williams makes history

LSU freshman Mikaylah Williams is embracing her entrance into the college basketball scene especially with the support of head coach Kim Mulkey. She put on an eyebrow raising performance that has sent the college basketball world into a frenzy on Tuesday afternoon.

1⃣2⃣ is just scratching the surface of her potential

42 points in her fourth collegiate game for @mkwill12_ pic.twitter.com/oGlpSfApZE

— LSU Women's Basketball (@LSUwbkb) November 15, 2023

Williams put the entire nation on notice after a 42 point domination over Kent State in front of a crowd of over 9,000 fans. The No. 1 recruit from Louisiana, Williams showcased her talents for everyone to see on Tuesday. The 6-foot-1 guard finished with 3 steals, 3 assists, and 7 rebounds on 15-20 (75 percent) field goal shooting, 5-8 (62.5) percent beyond the arc. She's just the 11th player to score 40 plus points in LSU history. The last player to score at least 42 points in a single game was Cornelia Gayden in 1995 (49 points).

The LSU Tigers, led by Mulkey, move to 3-1 on the season, after dropping a disappointing season opener against Colorado. The reigning 2022-2023 National Champions remain one of the favorites to win it all again this year, especially with Angel Reese and the addition of Hailey Van Lith. Four games into the season, Williams leads the tigers in scoring with 22 points per game, and an astonishing 63.2 three-point percentage.

42 Points by Mikaylah Williams!

It's the most points scored by a Freshman in WBB history. pic.twitter.com/7VpJFClZae

— Ballislife Bets (@BallislifeBets) November 15, 2023

With the way LSU struggled against Colorado, Williams seems to be the missing key the Tigers desperately need. The person that's going to push her to the best of her abilities? Kim Mulkey.

"She can score anywhere," Mulkey told the press. "I've been riding her because as good as she is, I don't think she knows how good she is. I think a lot of it will come with just making her play extended minutes as hard as she can. You saw today what she's capable of doing. She's a special talent."

Williams is a star in the making

The guard has slowly made her way through headlines, as she's increased her production every game. In the last two matchups against Kent State and Mississippi Valley State, the freshman tallied a combined 52 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. With a strong bodied frame, Williams has an extremely versatile skill set. Not afraid to pull from long range, No. 12 can also drive baseline, and has the capability of fighting through multiple bodies.

No, this is not a one and done. Mikaylah Williams is the real deal. She also plays on a talented roster, who knew exactly where to find her on the court.

"I wouldn't say I wanted the ball every trip, my teammates knew I had a hot hand and they were finding me," said Williams. "I applaud them for finding me, and I was executing on the shots."

Mikaylah Williams just dropped 42. The most points by any @LSUwbkb player in the last 25 seasons

BUCKET @mkwill12_ pic.twitter.com/N3IgNCJSsY

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 14, 2023

LSU had a game high 17 assists, 5 of which came from transfer guard Van Lith. While several of his shots came unassisted, Williams was making tough shots.

Coach Mulkey recruited Williams for a reason

"It's just in me," Williams continued. With that said, Coach Mulkey has an extensive coaching career, and has witness several stellar performances. In her third season with LSU, Mulkey knew exactly what she would be getting from Williams after recruiting her from Parkway High School.

Junior guard Aneesah Morrow knows the meaning of hard work. She finished with 17 points and 9 steals on 7-15 (46.6 percent) free throw shooting.

"It makes me feel good, being able to give Mikaylah a pass and see her score other than shooting it myself," said Morrow. "I get to see the work MK puts in everyday-- it's a non stop thing, she's very consistent, she work's hard everyday. To see that pay off is amazing."

No. 12 is a Lousiana Native

It's not everyday where freshman athletes are comfortable right off the jump, especially in front of her hometown fans at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Louisiana.

"It was fun, I just wanted to show the kids that it's possible," Williams continue. "A little kid from Louisiana, being on this big stage is possible-- to do this and be big."

Admitting she previously had a career high 34 points in high school, Williams is adamant about about the work she puts in practice on a daily basis. An All-American in high school, the guard was named 3x FIBA 3x3 under 18 World Cup MVP, and was chosen as USA Basketball 3x3 Athlete of the year.

"I think it all starts in practice, how you practice is how you play. Coach Mulkey had been riding me and staying on my tail about working hard, effort and everything."

If anything, the future is very exciting for the LSU Tigers and Mikaylah Williams.

Stay tuned for more WNBA and NCAAW articles. Click here

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at Ballislife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.

The post Mikaylah Williams makes NCAA history with 42 points appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Betting Odds Final Four Teams

UConn Huskies: -125 (Clear favorites among online betting sites)

Miami Hurricanes: +450

San Diego State Aztecs: +400

Florida Atlantic Owls: +650

2023 Futures: Tournament Opening Odds.

UConn Huskies: +2500

Miami Hurricanes: +7500

San Diego State Aztecs: +10000

Florida Atlantic Owls: +13000

Team Recaps

Connecticut Huskies (UConn)

The Connecticut Huskies have not been to a final four since 2014, in which they won the NCAA National Championship against Kentucky. Connecticut has 36 tournament appearances, 6 Final Fours, and 4 Championships. They Started the tournament at +2500 and?are coming off an impressive blow-out win against The Gonzaga Bulldogs, 82-54. UConn has covered the spread, and the money line, in all four games of the NCAA Tournament. UConn respectively held Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga to under 56 points each and hit the under those games.

Strengths: The UConn Huskies rank 7th in the nation in rebounds per game, with 29.9 per game. Led by Forward Adama Sanogo, Connecticut is an excellent defensive team. The Huskies held Gonzaga to 54 points, a team that ranked 1st in points scored. In addition, they held Saint Mary’s to 55 points, and they are averaging 59.3 opponent’s points-per game in this year’s NCAA Tournament. Sanogo is a glass cleaner, who has been an unstoppable force on both ends of the ball. This team has many talents and ranks 7th in the nation with an offensive rating of 116.7. UConn is a inside team that dominates in the second half.

Weaknesses: The UConn Huskies turn the ball over a lot, including 48 times in the NCAA Tournament. Dan Hurley and the Huskies need to find a way to limit turnovers, and not allow opponents to get to the line as frequently as they do. UConn ranks 317th in the league, allowing teams to get to the line on average 15 points per game.

Miami Hurricanes

This is the Miami Hurricanes first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament Final Four. They entered the NCAA Tournament +7500, are coming off an 88-81 win over Texas. Led by Head Coach Jim Larranaga, the Hurricanes have covered the spread, and the money line, in all four games of the NCAA Tournament. In addition, three of their last four games have hit the Over. The Hurricanes are averaging 81.3 points-per game and are extremely efficient on the offensive end.

Strengths: The Miami Hurricanes rank 21st in the nation in points-per game, with 79.6. This is a Hurricanes team that can score efficiently from anywhere on the court. Miami ranks 42nd in three-point percentage at 36.9. Led by Guards Isaiah Wong, Jordan Miller, Nijel Pack, and Norchad Omier, the Hurricanes are top 14th in field goal percentage at 48.4. Miami is shooting an efficient 78 percent from the line, which ranks top 12 in the Nation. This is a team that can cook up beyond the three, can attack inside, and scores anywhere. It will be interesting to see how the Hurricanes matchup against the Huskies defense. On another note, this team knocked off a #1 seed Houston, and #2 seed Texas.

Weaknesses: Although Miami is an offensive powerhouse, they lack defense compared to teams like UConn and San Diego State. They have allowed an average of 70.3 points per game per opponents in the NCAA Tournament. In fact, Miami ranks 236th in the Nation in points allowed at 71.9. It’s important to say, numbers can be deceiving. The Hurricanes played hard against Drake, holding the Bulldogs to 29.2 percent shooting from the three-point. Furthermore, Miami held Indiana to 69 points scored, and 32 percent from the three, and 41.3 percent from the field.

San Diego State Aztecs

This is the San Diego State Aztecs first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament Final Four. However, San Diego State has been kicked out of the first round of the last two NCAA Tournaments. They entered the NCAA Tournament +10000, and they are coming off an incredible win against Creighton, 57-56. In addition, the Aztecs have covered the spread, and the money line, in all four games of the NCAA Tournament.

Strengths: San Diego is a 5th seed that may have been overlooked this tournament. The Aztecs rank 25th in the nation, allowing an average of 62.9 points per game. They are a tough team physically, and are allowing an average of 57.3 opponents points per game in this years March Madness Tournament. In addition, they held Creighton, a team who’s fantastic offensively, to 63 points per game, and Alabama to 64 points per game. It’s important to note this Aztecs team knocked off the #1 seed Alabama, who was considered one of the favorites to win this year’s NCAA Tournament. San Diego State has hit the under in their last 10 games.

Weaknesses: Although the Aztecs are a physical team that plays incredible defense, they rank 183rd in points-per game at 71.5, and rank 153rd in three-point shooting at 34.7 percent. Guard Matt Bradley is the only player to average double digits in points, and they only shoot 44.1 percent from the field. They rank 86th in the Nation in rebounds and will rely heavily on their defense.

Florida Atlantic Owls

This is the Florida Atlantic Owls first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament Final Four. Their only NCAA Tournament appearance came in the 2001-2002 season, where they got kicked out in the first round. They entered the tournament with March Madness betting lines of +13000, and they are coming off an exhilarating win against Kansas State, 79-76. In addition, the Owls have covered the spread in three of their four Tournament games, and the money line in all four. It’s important to note FAU knocked off one of the top defensive teams, Tennessee, 62-55 in the Sweet 16.

Strengths: Don’t let that 9th seed fool you. FAU has shown every reason to be in the Final Four. This team can hoop, especially from, an offensive standpoint. The Owls rank 37th in the nation in points-per game at 78. In addition, they are an efficient passing team, especially with cuts. They might not be the #1 team beyond the arc, however, they hit their three-point shots when it counts. Speaking of defense, FAU ranks 45th in the nation in opponents points per game at 65.1. In addition, they are ranked 18th in opponent field goal percentage at 40.2 percent.

Weaknesses: FAU has shown to be a competitive team, with the right amount of balance on both ends of the ball. They are only team that hasn’t beaten a #1 or #2 seed, however, they doesn’t mean we should count them out. Although they have point-differential of +12.8, their biggest point differential came against Fairleigh Dickinson at 8 points. Both wins against Memphis, and Kansas State were decided by less than 5 points.

For More Betting Info & Game Predictions, Follow us at @BallislifeBets

Sara Jane is a full-time content creator, focusing on both college basketball, the NBA, NFL, and writer of www.ebooksnet.com. Don’t forget to follow her on Twitter: @GGirlSports

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Betting Odds, Money Line, Spread, Under/Over

Money Line

UConn: -195
Arkansas: +165

Over/Under: 140

Over: -110
Under: -110

Spread:

UConn: -4 (-110)
Arkansas: +4 (-110)

Tournament Recap

Connecticut Huskies (UConn)

Round of 64: UConn vs. Iona: UConn was favored -9, and the Over/Under was 140.5. UConn won the Money Line, Covered the spread, and the OVER hit.

  The UConn Huskies dominated the Iona Gaels and came out with the win 87-63. Iona was up by 2 points leading into the half and had bettors worried. UConn had a monstrous second half, outscoring Iona 50-24. Led by Forward Adama Sanogo, the Huskies shot 44 percent from the three-point, and 48.5 percent from the field. In addition, UConn had an 85.7 field goal percentage. UConn outrebounded Iona 45-29 and led in assists. Sanogo had a stellar second half, scoring 28 points in 25 minutes, on 13-17 shooting. Sophomore Guard Jordan Hawkins added 13 points, 4 rebounds, and shot only 27.3 percent from the field. Although UConn did not get adequate bench help, Guard Andre Jackson added in 10 points and a 40 percent three-point shot. UConn had all the momentum in the second half and continued the rest of the game.

Round of 32: UConn vs. Saint Mary's 
 The last time the UConn Huskies advanced to the Round of 32 was the 2013-2014, when they won the National Championship. The UConn Huskies beat the Saint Mary’s Gaels 70-55 to advance to the Sweet 16. Again, UConn showed up to play in the second half. Up by one point at the half, UConn pulled away, and outscored Saint Mary’s 39-25 in the second.  Keep in mind, the Gaels were an efficient defensive team. However, this did not stop the Huskies from scoring. UConn shot 45.5 percent from the three-point, and 54 percent from the field. In addition, UConn hit 85.7 percent of their free-throws, compared to Saint Mary’s 68.4 percent. Thanks to Adama Sonogo, the Huskies outrebounded the Gaels 31-22, especially defensive boards. UConn had a game high 14 turnovers, however, UConn had 5 blocks and provided great defense. Gaels star Lane Johnson was held to 9 points on 3-15 shooting. Sonogo led the way for the Huskies, with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and a 1 block. Guards, Jordan Hawkins and Tristen Newton added points in double-digits. The only downside? UConn had only 12 points off the bench.

Arkansas Razorbacks

Round of 64: Arkansas vs. Illinois:  Arkansas was favored -2, and the Over/Under was 142. The Razorbacks won the Money Line, and the UNDER hit.

 The Arkansas Razorbacks impressed against Illinois, beating them 73-63. Up 36-26 by the half, both teams scored 37 points in the second half. Arkansas shot 38.1 percent from the field; however, they shot a low 27.3 percent from the three-point. They made 75.9 percent of their free-throws, compared to Illinois 65.4 percent. In addition, Arkansas outrebounded Illinois 43-34, especially on the offensive end. They had a team high 12 steals, and only 11 turnovers. Junior guard Ricky Council IV led the way with 18 points, on 11-12 points from the free-throw line. He also added one steal and a block. Junior Guard Davonte Davis contributed 16 points on 50 percent free throw shooting. The Razorbacks lost their lead in the second half, not breaking away until the final minutes of the game. Arkansas defense came out strong, early in the game, which made Illinois scramble offensively.

Round of 32: Arkansas vs. Kansas: Kansas was favored -4 and the Over/Under was 143.5. The Razorbacks won the Money Line, covered the spread, and the UNDER hit.

 The Arkansas Razorbacks knocked off defending National Champions, Kansas Jayhawks 72-71. It’s important to note Kansas was a #1 seed this year. Not only did Arkansas outrebound Kansas 36-29, but they also shot better at the free-throw line, and had less turnovers. It’s perplexing Arkansas shot significantly worse from the three-point line (20 percent), and only 41.4 percent from the field. Kansas came out strong, leading the Razorbacks 35-27 going into the half. However, Arkansas outscored the Jayhawks 45-36 in the second half. Kansas lost their chance with 1:56 to go in the second half. They missed free-throws, missed open shots, and turned the ball over. Arkansas had key offensive rebounds and put back shots with 51 seconds to go. Eventually, it turned into a free-throw battle, which Arkansas won.

Regular Season Recap

Connecticut Huskies (UConn)

Head Coach Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies started as one of the nation’s top teams, going 14-0, and 3-0 in their first 14 games. They finished 2nd in the Big East and earned the 4th seed in the NCAA Tournament. Over their win streak, the closest point differential was their win against Villanova, 74-66. During that time, the Huskies had key wins against Alabama, Iowa State, UNC Wilmington, and Villanova. It’s important to note UConn blew out Alabama 82-67 on November 25th, 2023. Over their next 10 games, UConn went on a losing skid, dropping 6 of their next 10 games. After their loss to Xavier on January 25th, 2023, UConn won 9 of their last 11 games.

 UConn is extremely efficient on the defensive end. Also, they rank 39th in opponents points per game, with 64.7. They are ranked top 40 in opponent field goal percentage at 40.9 percent. In addition, they rank 30th in opponents three-point percentage, limiting teams to 30.3 percent. With Sonogo, Jackson Jr, and Clingan down below, they rank 3rd in the nation, limiting teams to 29.6 rebounds a game. Offensively, the Huskies ranked 31st in offensive scoring, led by Adama Sonogo. The Huskies are not the best three-point shooting team, ranking 73rd in the league at 36 percent. 

 This year’s UConn Huskies are the REAL deal. The Huskies are efficient down low, ranking 18th in rebounding with 38.9 rebounds per game. Dan Hurley is a fantastic coach, leading this team to key wins over Marquette, Creighton, and Alabama during the regular season.

 UConn has a very powerful, physical defense, along with a very potent offense. Speaking of offense, UConn ranks 7th in the Country in Offensive Efficiency (115.7) (Source: Yahoo).  UConn excels with Sanogo in the paint, who is one of the biggest threats in the post. UConn excels off second chance points, thanks to Sanogo. He’s one of the main reasons the Huskies are advancing to the Sweet 16 and is elite in the low post. When Sonogo needs a rest, Donovan Clingan has filled in nicely in his place. The Huskies play high tempo basketball, create turnovers, and take risks.

Arkansas Razorbacks

The Razorbacks entered this year’s NCAA Tournament as the 8th seed. They finished the season 22-13, and 8-10 in the SEC Conference. However, don’t let this record fool you. Eric Musselman has done a fantastic job coaching this team in the tournament. However, this Razorback team was extremely inconsistent in the regular season. Arkansas is in a very competitive SEC and started the season 12-2. During that stretch, the Razorbacks had key wins against San Diego State and Missouri. Their only two losses came against Creighton and LSU. In their last 19 games, the Razorbacks finished 8-11. During that stretch, they had key losses to Auburn, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Baylor, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Texas A&M. Out of those 11 losses, 7 of those teams were ranked. 

  The Razorbacks ranked 98th in opponent points per game with 67.4. They are efficient around the perimeter, limiting opponents to 30.6 percent from the three-point. In addition, Arkansas is ranked 36th in the Nation in Defensive Rating, at 95.6. However, The Razorbacks struggled offensively during the regular season. They rank 160th in the Nation in Offensive Rating, at 105.4. Also, they only shot 31 percent from the three-point, and average 35.5 rebounds per game.  It's no secret that the Razorbacks have THREE NBA prospects on their roster. Guard Nick Smith Jr. only appeared in 16 game this season, due to Knee Injuries. However, Guard Anthony Black, and Ricky Council IV have been core players for the Razorbacks this year. The Razorbacks have depth, and their bench provided 18 points over their win against Kansas.

Injury Report

Connecticut Huskies (UConn)

None

Arkansas Razorbacks

None

Key Players

Connecticut Huskies (UConn)

Adama Sanogo
It’s no Secret Adama Sonogo has been lights out for UConn this season, and in the tournament. He averaged a career-high in points (17.3), assists (1.2), 3-point percentage (35.4), and field goal percentage (60.5). His 60.5 field goal percentage ranks 23rd in the nation. It’s very hard for teams to shut down Sanogo down low. He’s a glass-cleaner, who snags rebounds, and provides UConn with second chance points. He's scored 52 points in the first two rounds in the March Madness tournament, adding 21 rebounds and 2 blocks.   In addition, Sanogo is averaging 72.7 percentage from the field in the first two rounds. Look for Sanogo to be a continued force inside the paint and the glass.

Jordan Hawkins
Sophomore Guard Jordan Hawkins has stepped up when the Huskies need it the most. Hawkins is a fantastic perimeter player and is an efficient shot creator. Hawkins had a huge second half in last game against Saint Mary’s. He added 12 points, and 80 percent 3-point shooting. In the Huskies first round win over Iona, Hawkins added 13 points on 42.9 3-point shooting. This season, he averaged career-highs in points per game (15.9), free-throw percentage (88.3), 3-point percentage (37.8), and field goal percentage at 29.4. Look for Hawkins to be a key factor this next game.

Arkansas

Davonte Davis

 Davonte Davis, Junior guard, has been a solid defensive player for the Razorbacks this season. He’s averaged 11.1 points, 1.4 steals, and 34.6 percent three-point shooting in 33.2 minutes this season. In the NCAA Tournament, Davis added 25 points, 8 rebounds, on 60 % field goal shooting against their win against Kansas. He also put up 16 points, 4 steals, and 6 rebounds against Illinois. It will be interesting to see his matchup against Jordan Hawkins. Look for Davis to be a key player in the UConn game. 

Ricky Council IV
With 1:29 left to go against Kansas, Council IV hit a game-tying 2-point shot. In the first round against Illinois, he added 18 points, 10 rebounds, and shot 91.7 percent from the free-throw line. In the second-round win against Kansas, Council IV added 21 points, 1 block, 4 assists, 6 rebounds in 40 minutes. His 91 percent three throw percentage helped Arkansas seal the deal with seconds to go in the game.

Key Stats

? UConn averaged 78.5 points per game during the regular season.

? Arkansas averaged 74.4 points per game during the regular season.

? UConn ranks 39th in points allowed with 64.7 opponents points per game.

? Arkansas ranks 98th in points allowed with 67.4 opponents points per game.

? UConn ranks 18th in rebounds per game with 38.9.

? Arkansas ranks 140th in rebounds per game with 35.5.

? UConn ranks 5th in point differential at +13.7

? Arkansas ranks 61st in point differential at +6.9

? UConn ranks 19th in blocked shots with 4.9 per game.

? Arkansas ranks 10th in blocked shots with 5.1 per game.

? UConn averages 35.7 % from the 3-point, while Arkansas averages 31.7 % beyond the arc.

LAST 10 GAMES + GAME PREDICTION

SPREAD: UConn -4

-UConn covered the spread in 8 of their last 10 games.

-Arkansas covered the spread in 6 their last 10 games.

-UConn has a 23-11-1 record ATS this season.

-Arkansas has a 18-16-1 record ATS this season.

 Both teams have proven why they should be in the Sweet 16. UConn flew by Iona and Saint Mary’s, while Arkansas beat tough Illinois and Kansas Teams. Arkansas covered the spread by +3.5 against Kansas, and -2.5 against Illinois. However, I like the tempo UConn is playing at, and they have an efficient defensive team. Although The Razorbacks are red hot, UConn should be able to shut them down from the perimeter.

MONEY LINE: UConn ML

-UConn won the Money Line 8 out of their last 10 games

-Arkansas won the Money Line 5 of their last 10 games.

Dan Hurley’s Huskies are one of the hottest teams right now. I don’t see the Razorbacks slowing down Sanogo in the paint. UConn is the far superior team offensively and have a mean defense. If Arkansas can cover the perimeter, UConn could be in trouble. I like UConn Money line here.

OVER/UNDER- Under

-UConn Avg +/- vs O/U Line: +0.79

-Arkansas Avg +/- vs O/U Line: +0.04

-UConn Overall O/U Record: 19-16-0

-Arkansas O/U Record: 14-20-1

-UConn hit the UNDER in 7 of their last 10 games.

-Arkansas is 5-5 for the Over/Under their last 10 games.

140 seems like a fair number here. I think both sides play hard with plenty of defense. If both teams guard the perimeter, leaving the points up to the inside, this could be a relatively low scoring game. I like the under.

For More Betting Info & Game Predictions, Follow us at @BallislifeBets

Sara Jane is a full-time content creator, focusing on both College Basketball, the NBA, NFL, and writer of www.ebooksnet.com. Don’t forget to follow her on Twitter: @GGirlSports

NATIONAL PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE

1-800-522-4700

The National Council on Problem Gambling operates the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network. The network is a single national access point to local resources for those seeking help for a gambling problem. The network consists of 28 contact centers that provide resources and referrals for all 50 states and US territories. Help is available 24/7 and is 100% confidential.

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Betting Odds, Money Line, Spread, Under/Over

*All lines are taken from Draft Kings*

Money Line:

Houston: -250
Auburn: +210

Over/Under: 132

Over: -110
Under: -110

Spread:

Houston: -5.5(-110)
Auburn: +5.5 (-110)

Top 5 Bookies To Try out For Houston v Auburn

Tournament Recap

Houston

?Houston had an unimpressive win against 16th seed Northern Kentucky, 63-52 Thursday. The Cougars lost Marcus Sasser throughout the game due to injury, who only shot 25 percent from the 3-point line. This team did out-rebound NKU 42-33 and shot 49 percent from the field. Houston committed 17 turnovers and were able to secure the money line.

Auburn

?Auburn had an impressive win over 8th seed Iowa 83-75, hitting the over in round one of the NCAA Tournament. They covered the spread by -1.5. Surprisingly, Auburn shot 36.4 % from the three-point range, and 46 percent from the field. Although they were outrebounded 44-38, they were able to secure that money line.

Regular Season Recap

Houston Cougars

The Houston Cougars are coming off an incredible season, finishing 32-3 overall, and 17-1 in the AAC. Houston now has six straight seasons of 20 plus wins and no more than 8 losses in each of those seasons. Last year, the Cougars lost to Villanova in the Elite Eight. However, they are poised to make a deep run again this year, and have the talent to make it, if healthy. Even though Houston played incredible this season, they are only 1-1 against top 25 teams this year. They won against Virginia, 69-61, and lost to Alabama, 71-65. Houston started their season with 9 straight wins and won 22 of their last 25 games. The Cougars ranked 38th in strength of?schedule and went 9-1 in their last ten games. Houston has an incredible defense that ranks #2 in the nation in points allowed. This teams allows only 56.4 points per game and holds opponents to 27.33% on three-point shooting. This Houston team has a slower tempo and led the nation in opponent field goal percentage of 36.1. They excel defensively both on the perimeter and inside the paint. Led by Senior guard Marcus Sasser, this is a complete team that plays very well on both sides of the ball. They rank within the top 100 in assists, and right outside the top 100 in points per game. Houston has been a consistent program over the years, and have additional stars, Jarace Walker and J’Wan Roberts to carry them through.

Auburn Tigers

The Auburn Tigers had an interesting season to say the least. Head Coach Bruce Pearl’s team struggled at times. Much like Houston, Auburn has experience in the NCAA Tournament. They’ve made 12 tournament appearances, and lost in the second round last year. They finished 21-12 in a competitive SEC, which resulted in a 7th overall conference finish. The Tigers finished 10-8 in the conference, six games behind Alabama. Auburn started off the season on fire, winning their first eight games. In their final 24 games, they finished just 12-12. The program had impressive wins over Arkansas, and Tennessee. However, they are 2-3 against top 25 teams, and took two key losses against Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee. After analyzing all the wins and tough losses, it’s important to note the Tigers ranked 8th in strength in schedule. They rank middle of the pack in points per game, assists per game, and rank 321st in three- pointers made at 31.5 %. This team shows defensive strengths, however not as strong as Houston. They rank top 100 in points allowed, 30th in opponent field goal percentage, and rank top 5 in opponent three-point percentage. Sophomore Johni Broome has provided defense down below, ranking top 65 in blocks. The Auburn Tigers beat Iowa in the first round of the tournament. However, they have not been able to close out close games, specifically against West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt. They rank 85th, with a point differential of ONLY +5.7 points.

Injury Report

Houston

Marcus Sasser (Guard, Groin) Game Time Decision. Sasser claims he is “100 percent” playing vs. Auburn as of 3/18/2023.
Mylik Wilson (Guard, non-injury related) Out for the Season
Ramon Walker Jr. (Guard, personal) Out for the Season

Auburn

Chance Westry (Guard, Knee) Out for the Season

Key Players

Houston

Senior guard Marcus Sasser has arguably been one of their top players this season. He is the ACC player of the year for a reason. Sasser is averaging 16.7 points per game, which ranks 127th in the nation. He adds over three assists per game, along with a few rebounds. Marcus is shooting a strong 38.2 % from the 3-point this season, and 84 free throw percentage. He adds defense to this team, averaging 1.6 steals per game. He scored more than 20 points six times in a row this season, and had his best performance against ECU in the American Athletic Conference Semifinal. He contributed 30 points on 60 field goal percentage, and shot 100% from the free throw line. He knocked down 4-9 three- point shots. However, Sasser struggled with a recent groin injury, and was held out of Houston’s loss against Memphis. He attempted to make a return in the first round against Northern Kentucky. However, he was still injured, and finished with 5 points on 2-5 shooting. If he is 100%, I trust this Houston team moving forward.

Junior Forward J’Wan Roberts leads Houston in rebounds with 7.9 boards per game. He adds a solid 10.4 points per game, and shoots 64 % from the field. He also averages more than 1 block per game.

Expect Freshman Forward Jarace Walker to make an impact in March Madness. He adds 11.2 points per game, with 6.6 rebounds, and shoots 47.8 percent from the field. He provided three blocks In the American Athletic Conference Championship Final loss against Memphis. Walker also has nine blocks in his last five games.

Auburn

Sophomore Forward Johni Broome leads the tigers in 14.2 points per game, which ranks 150+. In addition, he’s tied 63rd in rebounds with 8.5. Also, Broome shoots well over 50 percent from the field. Broome was extremely impressive in the first-round win against Iowa, adding 19 points and 5 blocks. He shot 100 percent from the three-point line and snagged 12 rebounds. Broome stands at 6 foot 10, and averages 2.4 blocks per game. He is a solid rim protector, that can play excellent interior defense, and can score. He’s not the best three-point shooter, only averaging 30 percent.

Auburn has four players who average double digits in points, including guard Wendell Green Jr, forward Jaylin Williams, and guard Allen Flanigan. They aren’t the highest 3-point shooters. However, they all shoot above 44 percent from the field, and provide defensive stability.

Key Stats

? Houston averaged 75 points per game during the regular season.

? Auburn averaged 75 points per game during the regular season.

? Houston ranks 2nd in points allowed with 56.4 opponents points per game.

? Auburn ranks 98th in points allowed with 67.3 opponents points per game.

? Houston ranks 19th in rebounds per game with 38.9

? Auburn ranks 88th in rebounds per game with 36.3

? Houston ranks 1st in point differential at +18.3

? Auburn ranks 85th in point differential at +5.7

? Houston ranks 25th in blocked shots with 4.7 per game.

? Auburn ranks 13th in blocked shots with 5.1 per game.

? Houston averages 34.5 % from the 3-point, while Auburn averages 31.4 % beyond the arc.

LAST 10 GAMES + GAME PREDICTION

SPREAD: Auburn + 5.5

-Houston covered the spread in just TWO of their last 10 games.

-Auburn covered the spread in just FOUR of their last 10 games.

-Houston has a 18-17-0 record ATS this season.

-Auburn has a 16-17-0 record ATS this season.

- Auburn covered the spread +10 against the #1 program in the nation, Alabama.

Both teams proved why they should be in the tournament. Houston is an elite team, ranking in the top defensive category. Auburn holds their own on the defensive front. If Auburn can keep up on the rebounds, limit turnovers, and make smart shots, they can keep up. Neither of these teams are highly ranked as far as 3-point percentage goes. Give me Auburn +5.5

MONEY LINE: Houston

-Houston won the Money Line 9 out of their last 10 games

-Auburn won the Money Line 4 of their last 10 games.

If Marcus Sasser is fully healthy, as he claims, I fully expect Houston to win this game. They are a well-rounded team, with talent on both sides. They rank top five in points allowed, and the Cougars are dominant on the glass & even favorites to win March Madness according to college basketball sportsbooks. They have an incredible point differential, and role players that come together and let their defense speak for themselves.

OVER/UNDER- Under

-Houston Avg +/- vs O/U Line: -2.33

-Auburn Avg +/- vs O/U Line: -0.21

-Houston Overall O/U Record: 16-19-0

- Auburn O/U Record: 20-13-0

-Houston hit the UNDER in 6 of their last 10 games.

-Auburn hit the OVER in 6 of their last 10 games.

132 is what I expected for the over/ under. Both teams play incredible defense and are not three-point threats. Expect both teams to apply pressure and?play zones to cover the inside paint.

For More Betting Info & Game Predictions, Follow us at @BallislifeBets

Sara Jane is a full-time content creator, focusing on both College Basketball, the NBA, NFL, and writer of www.ebooksnet.com. Don’t forget to follow her on Twitter: @GGirlSports

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