Houston playing at home against illinois

Houston is the only team playing at home in the sweet 16. If they beat illinois they would get another home game with a chance to advance to the final 4. None of the other teams left in the sweet 16 are even in their home state let alone home city.

not their HC....

@bigred84

@bigred84

 Right, but it's  their home city. The other 15 teams in the sweet 16 would love to play in their home city .

I would say don't get too caught up in home court with the college tournament. These kids are not professionals, yet. Look at yesterday Florida was basically at home lost straight up. Wake forrest was at home lost straight up. Both big favorites. As a player it brings more pressure with all your friends and family there. And you got to deal with even more of them trying to get tickets and talk to you before the game, expecting you to perform well etc. I think it can definitely be a distraction and the Houston line suggests Illinois has a real chance here.

@papsmear

 I know what you're saying illinois can definitely still win this game even though  houston will have all their fans cheering them on.  

Houston aint florida. They are a tough physical team that will pound on those european woosies 

@Brooklyncapper

 Are you  going big on houston?

Houston has impressed me all year, they continue to be physical with real NBA talent as Flemings is a top 6 pick. Illinois has a slew of talented players and I really like their point in Boswell. They have great positional size. The game in Houston does feel like a difference maker imo, Houston thrives off high energy and intensity... could be the difference in a very tight matchup. I like Calvin Sampson as a HC to be an edge as well. 

@papsmear

You know your stuff.

I managed my HS, college team ( on scholarship) and 5 years in the nba.

You are on point

@papsmear

 Of course illinois has a chance cause they are a very good team. This line shouldnt be more then 2.5 as they are close to even matched. Just think houstons defense and physicality is the difference. 

@Ravensfan2k3

It's a 2 hour drive, I'd say that's essentially in the same city/greater metro. The crowd was 80-20 FLA easy. 

Houston is also 0-4 vs. KenPom top 15. Illini 3-5. This game should be close IMO

@uofiguy33

 Good call out on KenPom

Illinois is a fascinating team. Houston bigs can play defense/physical, but can they keep up offensively with Illi size/offensive skill? -3.5 is a huge number imo.  

@LB_Dirtbags

Also Houston is "on a mission". Lost the natty last year by 2 points. The better team both Kenpom and seed wise. Playing essentially a home game. Yet Vegas rolled out -2.5. Seems like they are begging you to take them (you know what that means). But I'm biased also haha. If Illinois shoots half way decent and rebounds at a high level I think they win. 

Kenpom #4 vs #6, predicts Houston by 1.  Current line is treating this as a home game, but Illinois will have plenty of fans there.  I like the points 

Illinois has 4 OT losses this year.  Their other 4 losses are still in sweet 16 - Michigan, Nebraska, UConn and Alabama

@Ace of Spades

They lost 5 of the last 9 before the conference tourney - 4 in OT.

One thing that I did just notice...O/U of 140 is the lowest for the Illini all season. And Houston can score. So it seems like Vegas is expecting the Cougs to control the pace. A real coin toss game IMO

Could be a toxic environment against the Cougars with 3 Big Ten teams in Houston.

I live in Houston. it is a pro sports city 100%. nobody in the city is talking about them. It will be 60-40 big ten fans. On;y played at the Toyota center a few times and last year lost to Auburn there. No home court advantage

I had a feeling it was like this…

   think I'm rolling with an U.....

Houston isn’t as good this year as last year. They had their big guy Robert’s last year and he was a beast. The defense isn’t as good as last year but they have a better offense with Fleming. Also Uzan has taken a step back this year.