Pick 66:- Miami Florida +10.5 (-190)

Miami Florida vs Houston

Miami Florida is set to cash in on their impressive 5-1 ATS record in the last six NCAA Tournament games, as they take on a Houston team struggling at 1-6 ATS following an ATS win.

As the clock ticks down to the highly anticipated Sweet 16 showdown between Miami Florida and Houston, there's one thing that's crystal clear: the Hurricanes are ready to make waves against the Cougars. With a spread of 10 points, sports bettors across the nation are eyeing this matchup as a prime opportunity to cash in on Miami's impressive 5-1 ATS record in their last six NCAA Tournament games. But why is Miami such a solid pick against the spread? Let's dive into the details.

First off, the Hurricanes are no strangers to the Sweet 16. This year marks their second consecutive appearance, and they're hungry for more. Last year, they reached the Elite Eight before being routed by eventual national champion Kansas. Miami's star guard Isaiah Wong is well aware of the program's recent success, stating, "It's just an honor being part of this program, with the history we have." Clearly, this Miami squad isn't just happy to be here—they're on a mission to make history.

On the other hand, Houston might be feeling the pressure. They're a top-seeded team in the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament, yet many fans and analysts still doubt their legitimacy as a true 1 seed. Houston guard Tramon Mark admitted as much, saying, "A lot of people were pushing for us to lose. They didn't believe we were a real 1 seed because of the conference (American Athletic) we play in." While the Cougars managed to prove some doubters wrong by making it this far, they may still feel the weight of expectations bearing down on them.

But what about the numbers? Miami's ATS record in recent NCAA Tournament play is tough to ignore, especially when you consider Houston's 1-6 ATS run in their last seven games following an ATS win. This stat alone should have bettors taking a long, hard look at the Hurricanes as a potential moneymaker.

Beyond the ATS records, Miami's roster is stacked with talent. Wong averages a team-best 16.1 points per game, while fellow guard Jordan Miller is hot on his heels with 15.1 points. The Hurricanes also boast a potent frontcourt duo in Nijel Pack and Norchad Omier, who both average 13.4 points per game. Omier, a double-double threat, leads the team with 10.1 rebounds per game and recently set a program record with 17 boards in an NCAA Tournament game against Indiana.

Houston, meanwhile, has injury concerns heading into this matchup. Star guard Marcus Sasser is still nursing a groin injury, and while he managed to score 22 points against Auburn, he admitted he'll only be "around 90 percent" for the game. Teammate Jamal Shead (knee) claims to be 100 percent recovered, but it remains to be seen how these ailments might impact the Cougars' performance on the court.

In terms of historical context, Houston holds a 9-5 series edge over Miami, but the two schools haven't faced each other in 52 years. With virtually no recent head-to-head matchups to analyze, this game becomes even more intriguing for bettors and fans alike.

So, with Miami's impressive ATS record in NCAA Tournament play, Houston's struggles following ATS wins, the Hurricanes' roster depth, and the Cougars' injury concerns, it's no wonder that many are backing Miami to beat the 10-point spread. While there are no sure things in sports betting, the Hurricanes have shown time and time again that they're a force to be reckoned with in March. Don't sleep on Miami in this Sweet 16 showdown—they're ready to bring the storm.