Can the Pac-12 most unlikely NCAA tournament team keep their Cinderella running?
No. 12 Oregon State will meet No. 2 Houston in the Midwest Region finals on Monday. The tipoff is scheduled for 7:15 pm ET at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The game will be broadcast on CBS.
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Houston (27-3) is trying to make it to the Final Four for the first time since the program’s Phi Slama Jama Heyday from 1982-84. Cougar coach Calvin Sampson is looking to make it to the Final Four for the first time since 2002.
Oregon State (19-12) is just the second No. 12 seed to reach the Elite Eight. Missouri made that round in 2002 before losing to Oklahoma. The Beavers are on an impressive run under coach Wayne Tinkle that started in the Pac-12 tournament. Oregon State has allowed 65.8 points per game in that stretch.
Here’s everything you need to know about betting on Houston vs. Oregon State in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, including updated odds, trends, and our prediction for the Elite Eight game.
Houston vs Oregon State Odds
- Spread: Houston-8
- Over / Under: 130.5
- Moneyline: Houston-370, Oregon State. +295
Three betting trends to watch
– The Beavers are 22-9-1 ATS for the season, and have covered the spread as underdogs in every game of their six-game win streak.
– That track record as an underdog is valid. Oregon State is 16–5 ATS as an underdog, and includes a 5–0 ATS mark against teams ranked in the top 25.
– Houston is 19-9 ATS as a favorite this season and 10-0 S / U in illegal games. The Cougars are 7-3 ATS through their 10-game winning streak.
Oregon State Key Players
Senior guard Ethan Thompson leads Oregon State with 15.6 points and 3.8 assists per game. That average has ticked up to 20.3 points per game in the tournament. He also scored 25 for 26 from the free throw line in the tournament. Sophomore guard Jarrod Lucas contributes 13 points per game, and Warith Alatische averages 9.5 points and 8.6 boards. Senior guard Zach Reichle is an outstanding role player with 7.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
Houston key players
The Cougars junior guard Quentin Grimes is an all-around force. He averages 18.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He led Houston with 14 points in their win in the Sweet 16 over Syracuse. Guard Marcus Sasser adds 13.3 points per game, and senior Dejon Jarreu contributes 10.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Houston is a strong perimeter team, but the offense flows through the Grimes. Justin Gorham is another internal presence.
Best Individual Matchup: Thompson vs. Grimes
Could Houston force Thompson to be more comfortable than a scorer? Thompson has 12 games with five or more assists, and the Beavers were 6-6 in those games. Grimes, meanwhile, is Houston’s main scoring option and matchup problem. When he scores 20 or more, the Cougars are 12–0. Can Thompson match Grimes’ scoring? This is the big question for Oregon State.
Houston vs Oregon State State to know
The Beavers have been outstanding on defense throughout the tournament, but Houston’s defense has been better. The Cougars have allowed only 57 points per game in their last six games, and Memphis is the only team in that period to score more than 70. Oregon State has allowed 65.8 points per game in the same stretch, but at a slower tempo Tempo will move to Houston in this game. One needs to play for Oregon State in the ’70s to win the game, and it will be a challenge to see how Houston handled the final three-digit seed in the tournament.
Learn . . Dejan Jararu
Houston’s 6-5 senior is struggling with a hip injury, but he played in the Sweet 16 against Syracuse. He was a valuable contributor with nine points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Jarreau is a distributor and one of Houston’s emotional leaders. Keep an eye on a hip injury, but Jarretu hopes for the same type of playmaker at Elite Eight.
Houston vs. Oregon State Prediction
The Beavers have been a great story in the tournament, and Thompson can retain them in the game in the first half. Oregon State needs to force double-digit turnovers, though, and Houston won’t let that happen. In the second half, Grimes gets possession and Houston’s offensive balance makes a difference. The Cougars look after the business and advance to the final four.
final score: Houston 71, Oregon State 62
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