Montana vs. Houston odds, picks and predictions
The Montana Grizzlies (2-2) head to Fertitta Center to face the No. 6 Houston Cougars (6-0) Friday at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook lines around the Montana vs. Houston odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Montana returns to the court Friday night for the 1st time in over a week after a 78-69 home loss Nov. 16 to the North Dakota State Bison. The Grizzlies failed to cover the 8-point spread as the Over 136 cashed. Senior G Aanen Moody led the way with 18 points while freshman G Money Williams chipped in 15 points off the bench. The Bison shot nearly 40 percent from 3 in this game.
The undefeated Cougars are fresh from capturing the championship at the Charleston Classic where they won all 3 of their games. This is the 2nd straight season that Houston has won its 1st 6 games of the season.
The No. 6 ranked Cougars are led in scoring by senior G LJ Cryer (15.8 points per game) and sophomore G Emanuel Sharp (11.8). They also have veteran leader in G Jamal Shead, who was crucial to this team making the Elite 8 last season. Houston has held their opponents to under 50 points per game on the season.
These teams have never met on the basketball court before.
- Rankings courtesy of the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll.
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Montana vs. Houston odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:15 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Montana +3500 (bet $100 to win $3500) | Houston -20000 (bet $20000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Montana +25.5 (-110) | Houston -25.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 131.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Montana vs. Houston picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 70, Montana 48
Moneyline
PASS.
You should obviously avoid betting Houston (-20000) because the odds are outrageous. Just look to the spread and total if you want to make a bet.
Against the spread
BET MONTANA +25.5 (-110).
As good as Houston is, they have struggled to cover bigger spreads. They are 1-3 in games where the spread is 20 points or more this season. They rank 113th in the country in points per game at 75.8.
I could see Montana staying with them in the 1st half but falling further and further behind as the 2nd half progresses.
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Over/Under
BET UNDER 131.5 (-115).
That's a really low number but Houston loves to bring the game to a screeching halt and grind you down. They rank 347th in the country when it comes to pace of play, they don't want to run and gun. Montana is not much better, ranking 328th.
The Cougars are 2nd in the county at points per game allowed (49.8) and one of the reasons they are that good is because they are top 20 in field goal percentage defense. They suffocate you up and down the court for 40 minutes.
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