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The Butler Bulldogs (7-1) face the No. 18 Houston Cougars (4-3) Saturday evening. Tip-off from Fertitta Center is set for 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Butler vs. Houston odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Butler notched their sixth straight win with a 73-58 victory over Eastern Illinois, though they failed to cover as 21-point home favorites. The Bulldogs overcame 17 turnovers by controlling the glass, out-rebounding the Panthers 41-27. Senior forwards Jahmyl Telfort and Patrick McCaffery powered the offense, each tallying 20 points in the win.
The Cougars have hit a tough patch, losing 2 of their last 3 games in overtime. On Nov. 30, they fell to San Diego State 73-70 as 13.5-point favorites, with the Over 127 cashing. The Aztecs’ defense was relentless, forcing 12 turnovers. G Emmanuel Sharp led Houston with 23 points, while G L.J. Cryer contributed 21, but their combined efforts couldn’t secure the win.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
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Butler at Houston odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds. Lines last updated at 10:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Butler +1100 (bet $100 to win $1,100) | Houston -2500 (bet $2,500 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Butler +17.5 (-110) | Houston -17.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 134.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Butler at Houston picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 73, Butler 60
Moneyline
Never bet on -2500 odds, even if it feels like a lock. Houston should pull out the win Saturday, but Butler will put up a fight. With the Bulldogs likely keeping it competitive, I’m going to AVOID the moneyline and bet the spread instead.
Against the spread
BET BUTLER +17.5 (-110).
Houston puts its 25-game home winning streak at Fertitta Center on the line against a tough Butler squad, and this could be just the test they need. Wins over Hofstra, Louisiana and Jacksonville State don’t exactly scream “statement games,” so a quality opponent like Butler will push the Cougars.
Houston has the advantage, scoring 3.3 more points and allowing 4.6 fewer per game. They’re well-coached and known for locking teams down on defense, so they should pull out the win. That said, Butler has been a strong cover team lately, going 5-1 ATS in their last 6, while Houston has failed to cover in its last 3.
Telfort, who has scored 20 or more points in his last 3 games while shooting 50 percent, leads a Bulldogs offense that ranks inside the top 80 in field goal, 3-point and free throw percentage. Expect a close game, with Houston getting the win, but Butler staying within the spread.
Over/Under
Betting the total in Cougars games is always a gamble. With Coach Kelvin Sampson at the helm, they’ve become a defensive powerhouse, giving up just 59.3 points per game—8th best in the nation. It’s tempting to hammer the Under, but Houston’s been 3-3 against the total in their last 6 games.
Butler brings a similar story. They’re also 3-3 against the total over their last 6 and play at a slow pace, ranking 241st in tempo compared to Houston’s 288th. Defensively, they’re solid, too, holding opponents to 63.9 points per game (30th nationally).
On paper, the Under makes sense in a matchup like this, but the inconsistency on both sides gives me pause. I’ll AVOID this bet altogether.
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