Houston vs Cleveland State Pick: Midwest Region Round One, March 19th

Houston vs Cleveland State Pick – Friday, March 19th – Midwest Region Round One: Cleveland State closed the season, winning 9 of 11 games on their way to the Horizon League Championship. This year, Cleveland State snapped a string of four straight 20-loss seasons to win its first conference title since 2009. In the final, they defeated Oakland 80-69 to secure just the school’s 3rd NCAA tourney berth. They are led in scoring by Senior guard Torrey Patton who averages 14.9 points with eight offensive boards per game. He went for 23 points, ten boards, and four assists in the Horizon League final. The other Vikings averaging double digits are Tre Gomillion at 10.5 and D’Moi Hodge at 10.5. Neither of their top 3 scorers average 30% from three. As a team, they struggle from the perimeter hitting just 31.9% from distance. They score 71.5 points per game, hit 45.2% from the field and 66.9% from the foul line.

〉More March Madness Betting: Oklahoma State vs Liberty

Houston closed the season winning 7 straight games en route to the AAC Title. In the final, they destroyed Cincinnati 91-54. AAC tourney MVP Quentin Grimes scored 21 points with five 3-pointers. He averaged 18 points, with six offensive rebounds per game, and hit 40.8% from three. Marcus Sasser had 16 points. He averaged 13.7 on the season. Point guard Dejon Jarreau is the other Cougar averaging double digits with 11 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. The impressive Houston defense was at it again in the Final, holding the Bearcats to a season-low 27.7% from the field (18 of 65). Houston is 2nd in division 1, holding opponents to just 58.3 points per game. Offensively they score 77.6 points per game, only turn the ball over 10.9 times a game, and hit 44.4% from the field, 36.1% from three, and 74.1% from the line.