Oregon State vs Houston 7:15pm est
Can the run continue? The Oregon State Beavers are on pace to become the first #12 seed in the Final Four. Let’s talk about this Beavers offense first. They have made a whopping 50 three-pointers, and have been able to shoot 41.7% from behind the arc. Ethan Thompson has carried the load for this Oregon State offense. Last outing against Loyola Chicago, Thompson scored 22 points. Defensively, Oregon State is playing so much better than they did in the regular season. The Beavers have limited teams in the tournament to 20.5% from behind the arc. The team even set a record for 11 total blocks in a NCAA Tournament game. The defense is on another level right now.
The AAC player of the Year Quentin Grimes has other plans. Houston is backed by their tenacious defense. Houston has limited teams to shooting 28% from the field, and 21.2% from behind the arc. These numbers play into how the Cougars crash the boards. Houston has out rebounded opponents 117-84 in the tournament. They also have edged opponents 43-22 on the offensive rebounding, which led to 40 second chance points. Houston is ranked 2nd in the NCAA in defensive efficiency.
Oh man, The Oregon State Beavers, winners of their last 6 games, how do you go against a team on this much fire? Well… here is how. Houston is the best team this Beavers team will have faced all year. They beat a Tennessee team without John Fulkerson, an Oklahoma State team who really only has Cade Cunnigham, and finally a Missouri Valley Conference team who’s run had to end eventually just like Oregon States will. Houston’s ability to shutdown opponents defensively, and rebound any ball that is shot, is going to completely eliminate the Beavers. The Cougars will continue their offensive strides from behind the arc, put up ridiculous second chance numbers, and Quentin Grimes will lead Houston to the Final Four.
Prediction: Houston -7.5
