The No. 2 Houston Cougars (15-1, 3-0 AAC) battle the Cincinnati Bearcats (11-5, 2-1) Sunday. Tip from Fifth Third Arena is set for 3 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Houston vs. Cincinnati odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Houston beat Southern Methodist 87-53 Thursday, covering as a 20-point home favorite. It has covered 4 of its last 5 games and is 11-5 against the spread (ATS) this season. The Cougars’ strength is defense, ranking No. 1 in opponents’ points per game (51) and opponents’ FG percentage (33.1%).
Cincinnati beat Wichita State 70-61 Thursday, covering as a 2.5-point road favorite. The Bearcats are a solid 11-4 ATS on the season and have covered 9 of their last 10 games. They are 9-1 straight up at home. Cincinnati’s strength is offense, averaging 79 points per game to rank 48th in the nation.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
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Houston at Cincinnati odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:16 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board.
- Against the spread (ATS): Houston -9.5 (-110) | Cincinnati -9.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 134.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Houston at Cincinnati picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 76, Cincinnati 62
Moneyline
Not available, and even if it was, Houston’s spread would be unplayable.
Against the spread
BET HOUSTON -9.5 (-110).
Houston is 3-0 ATS as the road team this season and is 2-1 ATS in AAC games. Cincinnati has also been solid this season, posting a 2-1 ATS record in conference battles.
While it can score, Cincinnati’s offense isn’t overly efficient, ranking 104th in field goal percentage (46.1%). Houston’s top-tier defense should limit what the Bearcats can do.
With Houston having scored over 80 in 3 of its last 4, it has proven it can pull away with ease. Houston is 2-2 ATS with a single-digit spread this season. Ultimately, considering their success in the conference and on the road, back HOUSTON -9.5 (-110).
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 134.5 (-115).
Houston might have a rock-solid defense, but it has been scoring at will lately, putting up 87 on SMU, 89 on Tulsa, and 71 on UCF in its last 3 games.
The Cougars have gone Over in 3 straight and are 4-0-1 O/U in their last 5. Cincinnati is 8-7 O/U on the season and is 6-4 O/U in its last 10. Cincinnati’s defense allows 68.7 points per game, ranking 177th in the nation.
Considering the hot Cougars attack and a Cincinnati offense that should look to run, back the OVER 134.5 (-115).
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