March Madness: SIUE vs Houston Round of 64 Betting Picks & Odds, 29-Point Spread
SIUE faces a monumental challenge as 29-point underdogs against top-seeded Houston in their Round of 64 NCAA Tournament matchup. While Houston boasts the nation's 2nd-rated defense and a top-10 offense, there are several factors suggesting SIUE could keep this game closer than expected.
Man dribbling basketball
Key Factors Favoring SIUE Coverage:
- Houston plays at an extremely slow pace (360th out of 363 teams)
- SIUE's defense ranks 51st nationally in scoring (66.1 PPG)
- The Cougars are just 2-4 ATS in their last six games
- SIUE shoots over 36% from three-point range
- Star guard Ray'Sean Taylor averages 19.3 PPG
Houston's deliberate style limits possessions and scoring opportunities, making it difficult to cover such a large spread. SIUE's defensive prowess (32nd in opponent shooting percentage at 40.2%) and three-point shooting ability give them paths to stay competitive.
History shows top seeds rarely cover spreads this large in tournament openers, typically focusing on advancement rather than margin of victory. While Houston should win comfortably, SIUE's defensive mindset and offensive capabilities make the 29-point spread appear inflated.
Betting Pick: SIUE +29 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
Game Information:
- Tip-off: 2:00 p.m. ET at INTRUST Bank Arena (Wichita, KS)
- Total: 126.5 points
- Houston ML: -1000
- SIUE ML: +3300
Public betting heavily favors Houston (62% spread handle, 98% moneyline), but SIUE's methodical approach and defensive strengths suggest value on the underdog to stay within the number.
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