UCF at Houston odds, picks and predictions
The No. 5 Houston Cougars (15-2, 2-2 Big 12) welcome the UCF Knights (11-5, 2-2) to Fertitta Center Saturday. Tip is set for noon ET (BIG12). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the UCF vs. Houston odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Cougars beat the No. 25 Texas Tech Red Raiders 77-54 at home Wednesday, covering as a 13-point favorite. Houston is No. 5 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll. It is 9-7-1 against the spread (ATS) this season and 4-2 ATS over their last 6. The Cougars are 2-2 straight up and ATS in Big 12 action. They are led by G LJ Cryer, who is averaging 15.2 points per game.
The Knights beat the Texas Longhorns 77-71 Wednesday, covering as an 8.5-point road underdog. They have traded off winning and losing over their last 5 games yet were 4-1 ATS over that span. They are 1-1 straight up and ATS in Big 12 action. UCF is 1-4 ATS in road or neutral-court games. It is led by G Jaylin Sellers, who is averaging 17.9 points per game.
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UCF at Houston odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): UCF +1200 (bet $100 to win $1,200) | Houston -3000 (bet $3,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): UCF +16.5 (-110) | Houston -16.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 128.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
UCF at Houston picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 70, UCF 57
Moneyline
PASS.
UCF has played well in Big 12 action but isn't worth a look at a heavy road underdog. Similarly, Houston is too expensive to play on the moneyline.
Against the spread
BET UCF +16.5 (-110).
Sellers is an efficient scorer and averaging almost 18 points per game, shooting over 84% from the free-throw line. He has helped lead UCF to a 3-1 ATS conference record, having beaten Texas on the road and No. 4 Kansas at home. It has lost just once of this magnitude.
Houston is 2-2 ATS in Big 12 action and has scored Under 70 in 2 of its last 3 games. If its offense isn't as potent, covering this spread could be tough. With that in mind, back UCF +16.5 (-110).
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Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 128.5 (-110).
The Cougars have had a total of 130 or fewer in 5 games and are 1-4 O/U in those. They have allowed 57 or fewer in 5 of their last 6 games are 5-12 O/U on the season.
UCF is 8-8 O/U on the year but 1-3 O/U in Big 12 action. The Knights have 3 of their top 5 scorers shooting Under 41% from the field, so they could struggle from the field against a strong Cougars defense.
Back UNDER 128.5 (-110).
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