Game: Houston Cougars versus Wichita State Shockers
Date: Thursday 2 February 2023
Position: Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, KS
TV: ESPN2
The Houston Cougars (20-2) are heading their way to Charles Koch Arena on Thursday where they will attempt to beat the Wichita State Shockers (11-10).
The Houston Cougars came on against Cincinnati and took the win by a score of 75-69 in their last game. Houston walked away from the game after earning a 56.6% FG percentage (30 of 53) and knocking down 5 of 17 3-point shots. At the free throw line, the Cougars hit 10 of 16 shots for a percentage of 62.5%. When it comes to rebounds, they grabbed 30 including 6 of the offensive type. They also dished out 13 assists in this contest while forcing the other team into 8 turnovers and earning 3 steals. Defensively, Houston allowed their opponent to shoot 44.3% from the floor on 27 of 61 shooting. Cincinnati tallied 15 dimes and had 4 steals in the game. Additionally, Cincinnati had 26 rebounds (9 offensive, 17 defensive), but did not have a block. Cincinnati ended up going 57.1% at the free throw line by burying 4 of 7 attempts. They knocked down 11 of their 27 3-point floor attempts. As for personal fouls, the Cougars ended up finishing with 12 while Cincinnati racked up 16 personal fouls.
Jarace Walker is a guy who was a big factor in this meeting. He ended up finishing with 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting. He saw the field for 37 minutes and also grabbed 7 rebounds. He went 71.4% off the floor and also gave out 2 cents.
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Houston enters this game with a 20-2 win-loss mark so far this season. They lose possession via turnover 9.9 times per contest and as a basketball team they commit 15.5 fouls per game. As a team, Houston is hitting 39.2 boards per contest and has amassed 318 dimes so far this season, which is 108th in college basketball in passing. The Cougars connect on 35.7% on 3-point shooting (170 of 476) and 69.7% from the free throw line. They are averaging 75.4 points per outing (94th in the country) while shooting 47.1% from the floor.
Defensively, the Cougars manage 14.7 turnovers per game and draw 16.0 personal fouls. They surrender 26.8% on 3-point attempts while ranking 3rd in the nation in PPG allowed (54.9). The Cougars defense is giving up a 35.2% FG percentage (402 of 1,143) and is giving up 31.5 rebounds per contest as a unit. They currently rank 20th in college basketball in giving up assists with 213 allowed for the season.
For their last game, the Wichita State Shockers grabbed the win with an 85-72 final when they played East Carolina. In discussions of attacking the glass, Wichita State allowed Eastern Carolina to take 33 total (13 on the offensive end). They finished 31.4% from distance shooting 11-of-35 and walked away from that shooting 11-of-12 from the free throw line (91.7%). The Shockers allowed East Carolina to make 25 of 67 tries from the field, which left them with a shooting percentage of 37.3% in this contest. When the game was over, the Shockers ended up shooting 29 of 57 from the field, which gave them a 50.9% rate. As far as 3-point attempts go, Wichita State buried 5 of their 14 attempts (35.7%). They were able to convert 22 free throws for an 81.5% rate. East Carolina was called for 22 personal fouls for the game that advanced the Shockers to the charity stripe for a total of 27 attempts. They shot it 11 times, earning 6 steals in this game. The Shockers were able to knock down 25 defensive boards and 8 offensive rebounds for a total of 33 for this game.
Craig Porter was important to the Shockers for this game. He converted 8 of 13 for the game for a rate of 61.5% and accounted for 8 rebounds. He earned 20 points in his 27 minutes on the field and had 4 assists in the matchup.
Wichita State has an 11-10 win-loss record for the campaign. The Shockers are responsible for committing 14.8 personal fouls per contest and connect on 72.1% from the charity stripe. They dial out assists 11.5 times per game (310th in Division 1) and turn over the ball 11.9 times per contest. Wichita State has 1,435 points this year (68.3 per contest) and averages 36.1 boards per contest. As an offense, the Shockers are hitting 42.5% from the field, which ranks them 290th in college hoops.
The Wichita State defense is giving up 31.2% from downtown (158 of 506) and opponents are knocking down 72.8% of their free throws. They are giving up 13.1 dimes and 35.9 rebounds per game, which is 220th and 285th in those defensive categories. The Shockers on the defensive end of the field are 76 in college hoops in PPG given up with 65.9. They are forcing their opponents into 12.0 turnovers each night and have allowed teams to shoot 39.1% from the floor (12th in college basketball).
Who will win tonight’s NCAA basketball game against the spread?
Tony Sink’s Pick: Take Houston
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