Syracuse vs Houston – Best Player and Team Props to Bet

• The Syracuse Orange continue their Cinderella run at March Madness with a Sweet Sixteen clash with the Houston Cougars on March 27
• 11th-seeded Syracuse has posted three upset wins during a 5-1 SU run while No. 2 Houston has averaged 81.1 points per game while winning nine in a row
• We’ve got you covered with the best bets in the game and player props ahead of Saturday night’s Midwest Region matchup at Hinkle Fieldhouse

The Houston Cougars aim to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1984 when they battle the Syracuse Orange on Saturday in Sweet Sixteen action as 6.5-point favorites. Pegged as the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region, the Cougars ride a nine-game SU win streak, while No. 11 Syracuse has steadily rewarded loyal sports bettors during their second trip to the Sweet Sixteen in three March Madness appearances.

Here’s a look at the best bets among the player and game props leading up to this Midwest region matchup, set for Saturday night at 9:55 pm ET at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Syracuse vs Houston Player Props

Odds as of March 26, 2021

Boeheim Powering Orange Attack

The Syracuse Orange have been getting things done at both ends of the court during their unlikely return to the Sweet Sixteen. Leading scorer Buddy Boeheim has steadily regained his form since being sidelined by a bout of COVID-19 earlier this season.

Buddy Boeheim is ON FIRE 🥵

28 PTS | 7-10 3PM pic.twitter.com/WIfc3GKuNB

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 20, 2021

The junior guard has been particularly spectacular since the end of the regular season schedule, averaging 28.3 points per game in his past four outings. But can he maintain that torrid pace against a Cougars defense that has limited opponents to 60 or fewer points on seven occasions during their current 9-0 SU run?

Cougars Steady Defenders against the Three

Boeheim has been lights out from three-point country during his recent strong stretch, averaging six three-pointers per game over his past four outings. And while the Cougars have played stingy defense, they have been lit up at times from beyond the arc, allowing an average of seven treys per game over their past four contests.

What a finish! Dejon Jarreau and the Houston Cougars pull a win from the clutches of defeat, somehow besting Rutgers, 63-60. One of the greatest come from behind efforts you will ever see (closed game on 14-2 run).

They refused to quit. #Believepic.twitter.com/6Brg5nJ27J

— CollegeBB News (@CollegeBBNCAA) March 22, 2021

That adds value to the -108 odds of Boeheim dropping OVER 20.5 points. However, the Cougars have largely prevented big performances from downtown, with just one opposing player tallying more than three threes over their past nine games.

The Pick: Boeheim OVER 20.5 points (-108)

Streaky Sasser Set to Rebound?

Across the floor, Quentin Grimes has led the attack for the Cougars so far in the tournament, leading the team with 20 points per game through the first weekend of the tournament. One of just two Cougars shooters to reach double digits in the team’s 63-60 Second Round win over Rutgers, Grimes is a solid bet -120 bet to top 18.5 points on Saturday.

Houston Cougars guard Quentin Grimes said his message to Marcus Sasser,”Keep shooting. We know how good of a shooter he is. We don’t care if he misses 10,20 in a row. He better shoot the next one. That could be the one we need.”

— Da’Yon Dunlap Sr. (@DayonDunlap) March 25, 2021

If the Cougars offense is going to rebound from their low-scoring performance against Rutgers, they will need more from Marcus Sasser. The Houston guard shot just 1-for-9 from the field in the Second Round, and just 6-for-23 in the tournament. However, the streaky sophomore has averaged 2.8 threes over his previous four outings, and presents as an intriguing +144 value bet to drain OVER 2.5 three-pointers on Saturday.

The Pick: Sasser OVER 2.5 three-points (+144)

Syracuse vs Houston Game Props

Odds as of March 26, 2021.

Syracuse Producing Stingy First-Half Results

The Cougars have built their current 9-0 SU run on fast starts. However, the team has work to do after being limited to just 27 points and a three-point deficit at halftime of last weekend’s date with the Scarlet Knights. However, Houston must contend with an Orange defense that has been equally stingy in the early going during their current 5-1 SU run. Syracuse has taken halftime leads into the room in each of its past five outings, and was particularly impressive while limiting No. 6 San Diego State to just 18 points before recess, on their way to a 78-62 tournament-opening upset win.

Sixth-seeded San Diego State goes scoreless the final 10 minutes of the first half while 11th seed Syracuse goes on an 18-0 run to carry a 32-18 lead into the intermission.

— Bill O'Rear (@billohoops) March 20, 2021

While the Orange may struggle to keep the high-scoring Cougars from topping 34.5 points in the first half, there is plenty of reason to expect Syracuse to keep things close early on, and cover as 3.5-point underdogs in the first half.

The Pick: Orange +3.5 first half (-110)