Houston at Cincinnati odds, picks and predictions
The Cincinnati Bearcats (15-7, 4-5 Big 12) welcome the No. 5 Houston Cougars (20-3, 7-3) to Fifth Third Arena Saturday. Tip is set for 4 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Houston vs. Cincinnati odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Bearcats beat the No. 23 Texas Tech Red Raiders 75-72 Saturday, covering as 4.5-point road underdogs. They are 11-11 against the spread (ATS) on the season and 3-1 ATS in their last 4 games. Cincinnati is 2-2 ATS in its 4 home conference games. It is led by G Dan Skillings Jr., who is averaging 12.1 points per game (PPG).
Houston is No. 5 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll. It is coming off a 79-63 home win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys Tuesday; the Cougars failed to cover as 21-point favorites. They have won 6 of their last 7, all conference games, but have covered in just 3 of those. Houston is led in scoring by G L.J. Cryer, who is averaging 15.1 PPG.
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Houston at Cincinnati odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Houston -215 (bet $215 to win $100) | Cincinnati +176 (bet $100 to win $176)
- Against the spread (ATS): Houston -5.5 (-105) | Cincinnati +5.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 130.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Houston at Cincinnati picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 65, Cincinnati 61
Moneyline
PASS.
Houston (-215) is too expensive to play at this number, but it has been too good to take the home underdog as well. Ultimately, one should pass on a moneyline play.
Against the spread
BET CINCINNATI +5.5 (-115).
The Big 12 is arguably the best conference in the country. The teams play competitive games, and the Bearcats have been able to keep games close. They have covered every game when they have been underdogs in conference play. Cincinnati is 2-2 straight up in those games. It should be able to keep things tight.
Also, Houston has failed to cover in 3 straight games overall and in 2 straight games as a road favorite. Expect a close battle as is typical in conference games.
Take CINCINNATI +5.5 (-115).
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Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 130.5 (-105).
The Houston defense is too good to take anything else, and the Bearcats don't have any high-volume scorers.
No players averages north of 13 PPG for Cincinnati, and Houston has held 3 of its last 6 opponents to under 55 points. It is 9-14 O/U on the season.
Cincinnati is 11-11 O/U on the season and 1-4 O/U in its last 5 games. Take UNDER 130.5 (-105).
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