This is an 8* on HOUSTON

This is a first round matchup in the Maui Invitational (which is being played in Las Vegas). We’ve got Butler facing Houston, two programs that have been to Final Fours. Of course, it’s been a decade since Butler advanced that far. Houston was in the Final Four last year and bowed out to eventual National Champion Baylor in the Semifinal. The Cougars are ranked #15 in the poll right now and is 3-0. They just wasted Virginia 67-47 in their last game, which was six days ago. Butler lost the following day (Wednesday), 73-52 to Michigan State, and is now 3-1 on the year. Our view is that Butler just isn’t in Houston’s class. Houston leads all AAC teams with 10.3 three pointers made per game. Defensively, the Cougars are just as impressive. They held Virginia to 34.9% shooting and forced 17 turnovers. The game was never close as UH jumped out to an early 14-2 lead and was up 13 at halftime. They led by double digits the entire second half. As for Butler, the loss to Michigan State was their largest margin of defeat at home in 29 years. They shot 28.6% and had only eight assists. The size of the Spartans was clearly an issue and it should be the same thing here with Houston. This is a bad matchup at a bad time for Butler. Play on HOUSTON

AAA