The No. 3 Houston Cougars (18-2, 6-1 American) will take on the UCF Knights (13-6, 4-3) on Wednesday at Addition Financial Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Houston vs. UCF odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
The Cougars were upset by Temple 56-55 on Sunday despite being 19.5-point favorites at home. The loss snapped a 9-game win streak.
The Knights were defeated 85-72 by USF on Saturday and were unable to cover as 4.5-point favorites on the road. UCF is on a 2-game losing skid.
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Houston at UCF odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:18 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Houston -525 (bet $525 to win $100) | UCF +360 (bet $100 to win $360)
- Against the spread (ATS): Houston -10.5 (-105) | UCF +10.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 126.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Houston at UCF picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 67, UCF 55
Moneyline
PASS.
Even though Houston (-525) is expected to win, taking it to win straight up isn’t advised at the current odds.
Against the spread
HOUSTON -10.5 (-105) is where I’m leaning in this game. The Cougars are coming off a disappointing loss at home against an unranked Temple squad and I expect them to cruise to a victory Wednesday.
Houston is 4-0 ATS in its last 4 road games against a team with a winning home record and 6-0 ATS in its last 6 road games overall. Meanwhile, UCF is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 games following a loss and 0-3-1 ATS in its last 4 home games against a team with a winning road record.
Over/Under
UNDER 126.5 (-105) is how I’m betting on the total with both teams looking to play better on the defensive end. UCF could be without one of its top scorers in G Darius Johnson and Houston allows the fewest points per game in the nation (53.4).
The Cougars are 10-1-1 to the Under in their last 12 games following a loss. The Knights are also 4-0 to the Under in their last 4 home games against a team with a winning road record.
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