Houston at TCU odds, picks and predictions
The No. 2 Houston Cougars (14-1, 1-1 Big 12) head to the Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena for a conference clash with the TCU Horned Frogs (12-3, 1-1) Saturday at 6 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Houston vs. TCU odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Houston, which is No. 2 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll, suffered its 1st loss of the season on Tuesday to the Iowa State Cyclones, 57-53. It failed to cover as a 1.5-point favorite, and the Under (129.5) hit. Houston's leading scorer G L.J. Cryer was held to just 5 points, but it did get 20 points from sophomore G Emanuel Sharp. The Cougars remain the country's best defensive team, allowing 50.3 points per game (PPG).
After losing a heartbreaker to the No. 3-ranked Kansas Jayhawks last Saturday, TCU bounced back in a big way on Wednesday with a win over No. 9 Oklahoma, 80-71. It covered as a 5.5-point favorite, and the Over (148) hit. Senior F Emanuel Miller had a game-high 27 points and narrowly missed a double-double with 9 rebounds. The Horned Frogs forced 14 turnovers in the game. This matchup against Houston will be their 3rd straight game against a top-10 opponent.
Houston leads the all-time series 48-25. In the most recent meeting Dec. 4, 2012, the Cougars covered as 3.5-point road underdogs in a 54-48 win.
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Houston at TCU odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Houston -172 (bet $172 to win $100) | TCU +142 (bet $100 to win $142)
- Against the spread (ATS): Houston -4.5 (-104) | TCU +4.5 (-118)
- Over/Under (O/U): 136.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Houston at TCU picks and predictions
Prediction
TCU 70, Houston 67
Moneyline
BET TCU (+142).
This is going to be a great battle between two very good teams. Depending on the outcome of this game, TCU could be ranked by the end of this weekend.
The Cougars failed their 1st big road test as a member of the Big 12 against Iowa State and now they have another one against what I think is an even better team. Houston is very tough defensively, but TCU puts up 85 PPG on the season. I'll take the Horned Frogs getting plus-money at home any day of the week.
Against the spread
BET TCU +4.5 (-118).
If I believe that TCU is going to win outright, I will of course take them getting points at home. Bet the Horned Frogs to cover the spread if you are a little nervous of taking the moneyline. TCU has covered the spread in 4 straight games.
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Over/Under
PASS.
I avoid betting on Houston totals. You would think that because of its defensive ability, the Unders are a lock, but Vegas has caught up on this fact. The Cougars are 3-3 O/U over their last 6 games. If this line was in the mid-140s, maybe I'd consider it, but not where it is right now.
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