Final Four Pick & Preview: Duke vs. Houston

Both the top-seeded Houston Cougars (34-4) and Duke Blue Devils (35-3) will face off in the Final Four on Saturday, April 5 at 8:49 PM ET at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Blue Devils are favored with a point spread of -4.5 (+100) at MyBookie.

Houston Cougars Betting Preview

The Cougars have looked impressive, winning their last 17 games heading into this upcoming matchup. Their most recent win was a 69-50 outing over the Tennessee Volunteers. They have averaged 72.5 points a game and allowed 56.5 points from opponents in the tournament.

The first half was brutal for the Vols, as Houston held them to 15 points with outstanding defense. They would later adjust in the second, but the damage had already been done. L.J. Cryer led with 17 points and four assists.

Houston is averaging 74.0 points on the season and ranks 169th. Their defense has held teams to 58.3 points each game, ranking first. This is a great spread and even more appealing that they are holding a similar average in the tournament.

The Cougars’ efficiency on the offensive end each 100 possessions ranks 17th, while their defensive output at the same rate ranks second. This shows they can dictate the pace of the game and hold teams to lower scoring outputs.

Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Blue Devils have been just as impressive as the Cougars with a 15-game win streak. They return to action after an 85-65 blowout triumph against the Alabama Crimson Tide. They are averaging 91.7 points a game while allowing 68.2 points each matchup this tournament.

Cooper Flagg looked great with 16 points and nine rebounds while Kon Knueppel led with 21 points. Four players in total reached double figures but more impressively they held the Crimson Tide’s offense to a low.

Duke is ninth in the nation for scoring 83.7 points per game and seventh for allowing 62.6 points each matchup. Their differential is one of the better ones in the country, as they rank in the top 10 for both averages.

Even better, their offensive efficiency ranks first and defensive efficiency ranks fourth per 100 possessions for both. This shows they are the best at taking care of the ball in their hands and disrupt opposing teams on the defensive end consistently.

Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick

MyBookie offers you the best Houston Cougars vs. Duke Blue Devils betting odds to consider, as the Blue Devils are 4.5-point favorites. According to market insights, the Blue Devils have a 54.0 percent chance to win outright.

This could be one of the more brutal matchups in the tournament, given that both teams are excellent on the defensive end. Duke may have the advantage here due to star play making from Flagg and a crafty offense to finish the game strong. Look for the Blue Devils to cover the spread.

Final Pick: Duke Blue Devils -4.5 (+100)