The No. 9 Houston Cougars (19-2, 8-0 AAC) and Cincinnati Bearcats (15-6, 5-3) meet Sunday for a 6 p.m. ET tip-off at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati. Below, we look at the Houston vs. Cincinnati odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Houston ranks fourth in the nation in allowing just 56.5 points per game and heads into this game on an 11-game win streak. UH last played Wednesday when it held Tulane to a 32.8% mark from the floor in a 73-62 triumph. Houston has held foes under 41% in 11 straight games.
The Bearcats are lined up for their first game since winning 60-59 at East Carolina Jan. 30 as their Thursday home game against Memphis was postponed. Cincinnati has the second-best defense in the AAC (62.5 points allowed per game) and returns to action looking for a fifth win in its last six games.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Houston at Cincinnati odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:23 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Houston -280 (bet $280 to win $100) | Cincinnati +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
- Against the spread (ATS): Houston -5.5 (-120) | Cincinnati +5.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 132.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Houston at Cincinnati odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 70, Cincinnati 62
Money line
UC is rock-solid defensively, but it hasn’t played the schedule Houston has.
UH has logged tremendous defensive performances of its own in recent games. The Cougars excel in forcing shots where the offense doesn’t want them and their shot-blocking is a big part of that. Houston registered 9 blocks in their last game, and they have logged 6 or more blocks in six of their last seven games.
The expected exchanges in chances from rebounds and turnovers also tilt toward the visitors, who figure as a four-out-of-five proposition for this one. TAKE HOUSTON (-280).
Against the spread
The Cougars are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 road games against teams playing at least .600 at home.
The Bearcats are 1-4 ATS in their last five home games against teams with a winning road record.
Houston is 8-1 ATS versus Cincinnati across the last nine meetings in the series. The Cougars have covered four in a row and with ATS margins exceeding 20 points in the last two games.
TAKE THE COUGARS -5.5 (-120).
Over/Under
Respecting Houston’s ability to play in different gears: PASS.
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