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The No. 15 Kansas Jayhawks (22-8, 10-7 Big 12) and No. 1 Houston Cougars (27-3, 14-3) wrap up their regular seasons Saturday. Tip-off from Fertitta Center is set for 4 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Kansas vs. Houston odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
No. 15 Kansas is coming off a convincing 90-68 Senior Night win against Kansas State Tuesday. It covered the spread as a 12.5-point favorite, and the Over (142.5) hit. G Kevin McCullar Jr. showed off for the home fans in his last game at Allen Fieldhouse, scoring 19 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, dishing 3 assists, picking up 3 steals and blocking 1 shot. The Jayhawks forced 11 Wildcat turnovers in the victory.
Kansas has lost 5 of its last 6 Big 12 road games.
Houston, which is No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, has rattled off 8 straight wins since its loss at Kansas Feb. 3. It beat UCF 67-59 Wednesday, but failed to cover as an 8.5-point favorite as the Under (132.5) hit. Four Cougar starters scored in double figures, led by G L.J. Cryer with 25 points. He hit 5 of Houston’s 8 made 3s in the victory over the Knights.
Houston is a perfect 16-0 at home this season.
In a Feb. 3 meeting, the Jayhawks covered the spread as 1-point underdogs with a 78-65 win at the Phog as the Over (135) hit.
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Kansas at Houston odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9:50 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Kansas +340 (bet $100 to win $340) | Houston -450 (bet $450 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Kansas +8.5 (-102) | Houston -8.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 136.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Kansas at Houston picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 72, Kansas 66
Moneyline
PASS.
You should obviously avoid betting Houston (-450), as those odds are pretty steep. Bet the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
BET KANSAS +8.5 (-102).
This is far too many points for Houston to be giving a team of Kansas’ caliber. Yes, I know that Houston is undefeated at home and it will likely win, but not by nearly double digits. Especially knowing that the Jayhawks won convincingly in the Feb. 3 meeting.
Houston is 2-7-1 ATS in its last 10 games and 1-2-1 ATS in its last 4 at home.
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Over/Under
PASS.
I have never trusted betting totals when it comes to the Cougars. They play great defense which can be deceiving when it comes to the O/U. Oddsmakers play into that when they set the total this low, and I’m not going to buy into it. I’d rather just avoid it and keep my bet to the spread.
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