The Wichita State Shockers and the Houston Cougars meet Thursday in college basketball action from Hofheinz Pavilion. Wichita State enters this one at 15-13 overall this year. The Shockers beat Tulane in their last game. As for Houston, they’re sitting at 27-2 and fresh off a win over East Carolina. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Wichita State Shockers
Wichita State managed a .500 run over their first 20 games, going 10-10 overall. The Shockers are 5-3 in their last eight with wins over East Carolina, Tulsa, SMU, Temple and Tulane alongside losses to Houston, UCF and Memphis in that time.
In the Tulane matchup back on Sunday, Wichita State jumped out to a 46-39 edge by halftime. The Shockers kept the pace on a 37-37 run from there and won it 83-76. Jaron Pierre scored 28 points and Craig Porter tripled up on 15 points, 10 boards and 10 assists.
Houston Cougars
Over on the Houston side, their only two losses this year came to Alabama (December 10) and Temple (January 22). Since then the Cougars have beaten UCF, Cincinnati, Wichita State, Temple, Tulsa, SMU, Memphis, Tulane and East Carolina in succession.
In the East Carolina game on Saturday, the Cougars hit a 36-19 advantage in the first half. Houston posted another 40 points from there and cruised to the win 76-57. Marcus Sasser was the leading team scorer on 22 points and Tramon Mark added 20 more.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to stay with Houston. The line’s probably a little too thick to mess with, though. The Cougars have found their stride over this nine-game win streak, and they’ve scored 70 or more points in every one of those games. Houston didn’t have a ton of trouble after the first half the last time these teams met up on February 2 at Charles Koch Arena. The Cougars rode a 40-32 second half to a 70-61 victory. As for Wichita State, they’re scoring well these days with 78 or more points in all four games during this current 3-1 stretch. I don’t think they’ll be able to keep up with Houston at home for long, though.