Houston at Iowa State odds, picks and predictions
The Houston Cougars (14-0, 1-0 Big 12) and Iowa State Cyclones (11-3, 0-1) meet Tuesday at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Houston vs. Iowa State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Cougars have maintained an unblemished record, the only team in Division I without a setback this season. Houston is coming off an 89-55 win over West Virginia in the Big 12 opener as a 20-point favorite.
The Cyclones are coming off a 71-63 loss at Oklahoma as 2-point underdogs on Saturday, and Iowa State returns to the friendly confines of Hilton Coliseum, where it is 7-1-1 ATS this season. However, it has just 1 previous game against a Power 6 conference team at home, a win and cover against Iowa. While the home record is impressive, Iowa State has taken care of mostly cupcakes.
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Houston at Iowa State odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:45 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Houston -138 (bet $138 to win $100) | Iowa State +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread (ATS): Houston -2.5 (-110) | Iowa State +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 131.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Houston at Iowa State picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 75, Iowa State 64
Moneyline
HOUSTON (-138) isn't priced out of line if you'd simply like to take the No. 2 team in the nation straight up without worrying about laying the points.
The Cougars have played just 1 true road game to date, winning 66-60 at Xavier back on Dec. 1 as an 8.5-point favorite in a non-cover. However, UH is laying much fewer points in this one.
Against the spread
HOUSTON -2.5 (-110) is a strong play on the road, and I believe the books might be overestimating Iowa State +2.5 (-110) a bit. Yes, the Cyclones are 7-1-1 ATS this season, but only 1 of those victories came against a Power 6 team. The rest are against the likes of Eastern Illinois, Florida A&M, Grambling, Green Bay, Idaho State, Lindenwood, New Hampshire and Prairie View A&M, which isn't exactly a who's who of college hoops.
Back the road team, and feel confident doing so.
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Over/Under
OVER 131.5 (-115) is the play in this Big 12 tilt in Ames.
The Over wasn't the way to go for Houston early on in the season, as the Cougars are a lockdown defensive team. But UH has cranked up the intensity at the offensive end lately, with the Over hitting in 3 of the past 5 games, with 81 or more points on offense in those 3 Over results.
For Iowa State, the Over has hit at a 6-2 clip in the past 8 games overall, going for 80 or more points in 6 of the past 7 outings. While the Cyclones aren't likely to go for anywhere near that on Tuesday against the Cougars, the Over is still the way to go.
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