The Boise State Broncos (0-0, 0-0 MWC) and Houston Cougars (1-0, 0-0 AAC) meet at Fertitta Center in Houston Friday at 3 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Boise State-Houston college basketball betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Boise State at Houston: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Boise State +575 (bet $100 to win $575) | Houston -910 (bet $910 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Boise State +11.5 (-110) | Houston -11.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 144.5 (O: -106 | U: -115)
Boise State at Houston: Three things to know
- The Broncos will make their season debut, and they’ll lean heavily upon G Derrick Alston Jr. and F Abu Kigab. G Devonaire Doutrive was expected to join the Broncos from Arizona, but his waiver to play in the first semester was denied by the NCAA.
- Houston slapped around Lamar in its opener Wednesday, winning 89-45 to easily cover a 21.5-point spread as the Under (137.5) connected. The Cougars will have their hands a little more full with the Broncos. G Marcus Sasser registered 25 points with seven 3-pointers in the opener, while G Tramon Mark came off the bench for 22 points and eight rebounds.
- The Cougars showed off quick hands with 11 steals vs. Lamar, and they turned it over just nine times with 16 assists, and G Jamal Shead recorded four of the team’s eight blocked shots.
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Boise State at Houston: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Houston 79, Boise State 73
Money line (ML)
Houston (-910) is playing on its home floor, and that’s quite the advantage. The Cougars also have a game under their belt, which is a big advantage, even if it was mostly a glorified exhibition against an overmatched Lamar side. Still, you cannot risk more than nine times your potential return. AVOID.
Against the spread (ATS)
BOISE STATE +11.5 (-110) is a talented team on paper, but the Broncos have a lot of new moving parts, and a lack of practice time and shortened camp might mean chemistry is a little bit of an issue. Still, the Broncos have experienced members like Alston who will calm things down and steady the ship. Houston might win, but Boise will do enough to keep it within single digits.
Over/Under (O/U)
The lean is to the OVER 144.5 (-106), as Houston hit 13 triples in the opener against Lamar, and it’ll likely jack up plenty of shots from behind the arc in this one. Boise State was good for 76.5 points per game last season, 56th in the nation, and the Broncos were also a solid 3-point shooting team at 34.8%.
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