Cincinnati at Houston odds, picks and predictions
The Cincinnati Bearcats(16-11, 5-9 Big 12) head to Fertitta Center to face the No. 1 Houston Cougars (24-3, 11-3) Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Cincinnati vs. Houston odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Cincinnati lost for the 4th time in its last 5 games on Saturday, 75-57 against TCU and failing to cover the spread as a 5.5-point underdog while the Under (147.5) hit. G Day Day Thomas was the only Bearcats player to score in double-figures (13 points) and Cincinnati committed 17 turnovers in the loss.
Houston, which is No. 1 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll, won its 5th straight game in thrilling fashion in Waco, 82-76 over the Baylor Bears in overtime. The Cougars covered the spread as a 2.5-point favorite and the Over (135) hit. G Emanuel Sharp's 18 points led 4 starters in double-figures and G Jamal Shead notched his 4th double-double of the season (12 points, 10 rebounds). Houston had 14 steals in the victory.
The Cougars have beaten the Bearcats 10 straight times and covered in 8 of them. The last meeting was in Cincinnati on Feb. 10 with Houston winning 67-62, but the Bearcats covering the 5.5-point spread as the Under (132.5) hit.
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Cincinnati 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 12:14 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cincinnati +740 (bet $100 to win $740) | Houston -1250 (bet $1,250 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Cincinnati +13.5 (-112) | Houston -13.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 131.5 (O: -115 | U: -115)
Cincinnati at Houston picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 75, Cincinnati 61
Moneyline
PASS.
You should obviously avoid betting Houston (-1250), as those odds are pretty steep. Bet the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
BET HOUSTON -13.5 (-108).
I know Cincinnati covered in their 1st meeting, but these 2 teams are going in opposite directions. Houston has won 5 straight while Cincinnati has dropped 4 of its last 5.
The Cougars have covered the spread at the Fertitta Center against Cincinnati in 6 of their last 7 meetings and 4 of those were double-digit spreads like this one. Houston has won all 15 games at home this season, going 9-4-2 ATS.
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Over/Under
My initial instinct was to take the Under in this game, but I think that's a fool's errand. Yes, these 2 teams have gone Under the posted total in 5 of their last 6 meetings, but this number is just too low for me to recommend the bet. I would have been more inclined if the number was around 135 or higher.
Houston has gone Over the total in 6 of its last 7 games but this team is always hard to judge because of their defensive prowess. AVOID.
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