The Northern Colorado Bears battle the No. 3 Houston Cougars Monday at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Northern Colorado vs. Houston odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
This Houston team is set to challenge for a Final Four berth and a possible national championship under coach Kelvin Samson. With defense being the key for the Cougars, Samson will have this team keyed to start the season strong against an overmatched Northern Colorado team in this game.
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Northern Colorado at Houston odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:29 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Northern Colorado +1300 (bet $100 to win $1,300) | Houston -5000 (bet $5,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Northern Colorado +23.5 (-112) | Houston -23.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 140.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Northern Colorado at Houston picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 75, Northern Colorado 57
Moneyline
PASS.
The ML is too high on either side to be a worth a wager.
Against the spread
BET NORTHERN COLORADO +23.5 (-112).
Houston is far superior in every facet of the game. But they are also a defense 1st team. Coach Samson will have the Cougars ready for a low paced game.
With the pace being slowed by the suffocating defense of the Cougars, I do not see this game getting to the 24 points needed for the cover here. Houston will win and never be challenged. But the 23.5 is just too high. Give me Northern Colorado +23.5 (-112) as my favorite play.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 140.5 (-108).
Defense, defense, defense. This will be the key in this game. Houston will suffocate Northern Colorado and will slow the game down to a point where the Under is the safer play here. If Houston gets to 90, this game goes Over. I see them getting to 75. So, I lean Under 140.5 (-108).
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