TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASKETBALL SELECTION SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH
#827 HOUSTON (-7) over Wichita State at 1 PM EST
Back on track off that blowout home win and cover over UCF, UH will travel to Charles Koch Arena and blast Wichita State. The Shockers limp into this AAC battle off nine-point SU and ATS road loss to the Bearcats and they’ll have trouble getting back on track against the No. 14/15 Cougars.
Historically speaking, Houston has played well in this series notching a solid 7-1 SU record (4-4 ATS) in the last eight meetings. The road has been kind to head coach Kelvin Sampson’s kids too. As a guest, the Cougars own a reliable 31-13 SU and 26-18 ATS mark in their last 44 games including an outstanding 14-3 SU and 12-5 ATS provided their opponent takes the court off a straight up loss. Also, in conference play, UH owns a solid 27-5 SU and 20-12 ATS mark in its last 32 battles. Finally, conference play busting in off the comforts of a home game, Coach Sampson’s boys hold a powerful 36-4 SU and 29-11 ATS tally including a stunning 25-3 SU and 23-5 ATS provided their opponent owns a team won/loss percentage of .550 or better.
Wichita State hasn’t exactly been a a good source of income lately either. In their last 34 lined games, the Shockers hold a rough 12-21-1 ATS record including a pitiful 7-14 ATS in this set provided they are matched up against a conference foe. Even worse, when priced as a conference underdog and hitting the hardwood without steam off a straight up loss, WSU carries a timid 14-55 SU and 26-41-2 ATS record provided its opponent enters with confidence off a straight up win. In this situation coming off a competitive blemish of nine points or less, head coach Isaac Brown and his boys fall to a miserable 4-20 SU and 8-26 ATS including a pitiful 2-17 SU and 3-16 ATS if they are running with revenge of any kind.
Ranked No. 1 in the country in field-goal percentage defense (36.5), No. 4 in scoring margin (+18.1), and No. 5 in scoring defense (58.0 ppg), the Cougars will prove to be too much for the Shockers in the end. Take Houston. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
LEE’S $1,000 HRC CBB CONFERENCE GAME OF THE MONTH
The TSPC hands the ball to Lee on Sunday looking to rebound off Saturday’s 0-2 ATS performance. This conference crusher serves up outstanding home versus road dichotomy and it is supported by one nearly perfect 16-1 ATS angle. Grab Lee’s $1,000 HRC CBB Conference Game of the Month for $30.