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The SMU Mustangs (20-6, 11-3 AAC) visit the 15th-ranked Houston Cougars (23-4, 12-2) Sunday at the Fertitta Center in Houston. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we look at the SMU vs. Houston odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Mustangs head into this one a game back of the Cougars in the AAC standings. SMU has won four of the past five games, while also going 4-1 against the spread (ATS). That run includes an 85-83 home upset of Houston Feb. 9 as a 7.5-point underdog with the Over (134.5) cashing.
The Cougars followed that loss up with another 10-point setback (69-59), this time to Memphis Feb. 12. Houston had won 12 in a row before the SMU shocker. Since the back-to-back losses, Houston has rattled off three straight wins, going 2-1 ATS.
As a double-digit favorite, Houston is 9-8 ATS.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
SMU at Houston 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 5:43 a.m. ET.
- Money line: SMU +470 (bet $100 to win $470) | Houston -700 (bet $700 to win $100)
- Against the spread: SMU +10.5 (-107) | Houston -10.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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SMU at Houston odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 77, SMU 72
Money line
Houston (-700) will cost seven times your potential return in this rematch. The Cougars are looking to exact a little revenge after the loss in Dallas two weeks ago. You can’t risk that much, especially on a team which just lost to this opponent.
If anything, SMU is the way to go lightly, but I’ll PASS and look to the spread.
Against the spread
SMU +10.5 (-107) is the way to go.
With first place in the conference on the line, a double-digit spread seems a bit too much. Both teams will be motivated and focused, and SMU’s players know they have what it takes to beat Houston.
This 10.5-point spread looks like an inflated line given the fact the Mustangs are one game back of the Cougars, and just beat them two weeks ago.
Over/Under
The OVER 137.5 (-107) is the play here. When these teams got together in Dallas Feb. 9, they totaled 168 combined points on an O/U line of 134.5. We likely won’t see that big of an offensive show, but Sunday’s line is super low, likely because SMU has cashed the Under in three consecutive games.
Take advantage. Cash on the OVER 137.5 (-107).
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