The Denver Pioneers (6-1) and the Houston Christian Huskies (1-6) meet Thursday at Sharp Gymnasium in Houston. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Denver vs. Houston Christian odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Pioneers have won 4 games in a row, with 2 of the games on the road, and 2 of the games on a neutral floor. Denver won 77-76 at New Orleans last Friday, but it failed to cover as a 3.5-point favorite. Still, Denver is 2-1-1 ATS in the last 4 outings.
The Huskies are coming off a 105-69 rout at the hands of the Missouri Tigers. HCU’s only victory came against Champion Christian, an Association of Christian College Athletics (ACCA) team.
Houston Christian has hit just 64.3% from the free-throw line, ranking 315th in the nation. And defensively, the Huskies are awful, ranking 363rd in both points allowed (87.3) and field-goal percentage (52.8%).
On the flip side, Denver ranks 10th in the country with a 51.1% field-goal percentage, posting 76.3 PPG.
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Denver at Houston Christian odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:14 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Denver -310 (bet $310 to win $100) | Houston Christian +230 (bet $100 to win $230)
- Against the spread (ATS): Denver -7.5 (-105) | Houston Christian +7.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 151.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Denver at Houston Christian picks and predictions
Prediction
Denver 91, Houston Christian 73
Moneyline
Denver (-310) is way too expensive on the moneyline in this road game, even though Houston Christian (+230) is terrible, especially defensively.
PASS.
Against the spread
DENVER -7.5 (-105) is the play here on the road. The Pioneers have been playing great basketball, and Denver has been shooting lights out all season, losing just once against Sacramento State.
Houston Christian +7.5 (-115) has been horrible all season, with its lone win coming against a non-Div. 1 opponent. The Huskies have lost by double digits 3 times, including twice by 36-plus points. All 6 losses have been by 6 or more points.
Over/Under
OVER 151.5 (-110) is the best play on the board. Houston Christian is horrific defensively, while Denver shoots lights out. That’s a recipe for disaster for HCU and Under bettors. The Huskies allowed 105 points last time out at Mizzou, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Pioneers drop at least 90 on them here.
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