Auburn Tigers vs Houston Cougars Point Spread Picks

Houston's ferocious defense has been on display again, allowing an average of 50 points after three games. Last year, the Cougars were No. 1 in the nation in points given up (58.7 per game), allowing 35.8% shooting. Houston is on a 32-16-2 run UNDER the total. Auburn has some offensive weak areas, shooting 71% from the line and 28.4% from 3-point land. Play Houston/Auburn UNDER the total. 

Looking over the last three years in NCAA Basketball, it would be easy to say the UConn Huskies have the best overall record. That isn't the case. That goes to Houston, who, over the last three years, has a straight-up record of 98-15! No other team has more than 93. That is just 12 regular season losses. Auburn is off of their 3rd straight 20 win season, and has become a stable and above average team. Houston wins 70% of its games when the line is showing them as a favorite of -6 or fewer points. The money line odds look very short in this game. I will take Houston, on the money line.

Streaky Auburn (10-8 in the SEC) got by Iowa in the last game, 83-75, but that was against a weak defense. The tables completely turn in this one against a ferocious Houston defense. Auburn is on a 4-7 SU, 5-5-1 ATS run. They've lost their last six as an underdog, including an 86-54 loss to Kentucky and to Alabama surrendering 90 points. Auburn has dropped 10 of 17 non-home games this season and coach Bruce Pearl is 41-53 ATS away from home after playing a game as a favorite. No. 1 seeded Houston is the second-best defensive team in the country allowing 56.4 points per game. Houston is 58-41 ATS as chalk, 21-10 ATS in non-conference tilts, and 19-9 ATS after a game where they failed to cover. Play Houston.