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The No. 4 Houston Cougars (1-0) welcome the No. 11 Auburn Tigers (1-0) to Toyota Center Saturday in the Mattress Firm Battleground 2k24. Tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Auburn vs. Houston odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
The Tigers beat the Vermont Catamounts 94-43 Wednesday as 17.5-point favorites. They shot 56% from the field and ended with just 9 turnovers. G Miles Kelly led the team with 24 points and notched 7 triples as well. The Tigers key weapon is F Johni Broome, who averaged 16.5 points per game for Auburn last season. Auburn was 27-8 last season and was 0-1 against top-5 opponents.
The Cougars opened their season with a 97-40 win over the Jackson State Tigers Monday as 36-point favorites. Houston was led by G LJ Cryer, who hit 4 of 6 shots from deep and ended with 16 points. Cryer was among the most notable pieces from last season’s roster, averaging 15.5 per game a season ago. Houston was 32-5 last season and finished first in the Big 12. It was 5-1 in the regular season against ranked opponents.
Auburn is No. 11 and Houston is No. 4 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll.
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Auburn at Houston odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds Lines last updated 1:49 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Auburn +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Houston -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Auburn +5.5 (-110) | Houston -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 141.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Auburn at Houston picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 76, Auburn 67
Moneyline
PASS.
There’s no great play here. The Cougars (-225) are in Houston, but they are far too expensive to take here as favorites. The Tigers are sizable road underdogs and didn’t perform well a season ago against elite sides.
Avoid that play as well.
Against the spread
BET HOUSTON -5.5 (-110).
Coach Kelvin Sampson, since taking over at Houston in 2014, has created a juggernaut. The Cougars have lost single-digit games in 7 straight seasons and have 5 or fewer losses in 4 of those. They have consistently won, and even joining the Big 12 hasn’t changed that. Sampson has bought in, and the return of Cryer will held keep their offense surging.
The Tigers have yet to play in an environment as rocking as Toyota Center and struggled last season against top opponents. Auburn lost both games on the road against top-25 sides last season, and both losses came by 6 points or more.
Considering those trends, back HOUSTON -5.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET OVER 141.5 (-110).
In the Tigers’ lone match against a Big 12 team last season (Baylor), there were 170 points scored in the 88-82 battle. The Tigers and Cougars both lit up their respective opponents to open the season, as Auburn put up 94 and Houston scored 97. Both teams returned key offensive weapons from last season and aren’t reliant on transfers or freshmen.
Given each side shot at least 55% from the field to open the season, expect the offenses to sustain some high level of play despite the intensity and defense being superior in this one. Back OVER 141.5 (-110).
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