Houston at Cincinnati odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Houston at Cincinnati odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No. 2 Houston Cougars (15-1, 3-0 AAC) battle the Cincinnati Bearcats (11-5, 2-1) Sunday. Tip from Fifth Third Arena is set for 3 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Houston vs. Cincinnati odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Houston beat Southern Methodist 87-53 Thursday, covering as a 20-point home favorite. It has covered 4 of its last 5 games and is 11-5 against the spread (ATS) this season. The Cougars’ strength is defense, ranking No. 1 in opponents’ points per game (51) and opponents’ FG percentage (33.1%).

Cincinnati beat Wichita State 70-61 Thursday, covering as a 2.5-point road favorite. The Bearcats are a solid 11-4 ATS on the season and have covered 9 of their last 10 games. They are 9-1 straight up at home. Cincinnati’s strength is offense, averaging 79 points per game to rank 48th in  the nation.

Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

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Houston at Cincinnati odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:16 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Off the board.
  • Against the spread (ATS): Houston -9.5 (-110) | Cincinnati -9.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 134.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Houston at Cincinnati picks and predictions

Prediction

Houston 76, Cincinnati 62

Moneyline

Not available, and even if it was, Houston’s spread would be unplayable.

Against the spread

BET HOUSTON -9.5 (-110).

Houston is 3-0 ATS as the road team this season and is 2-1 ATS in AAC games. Cincinnati has also been solid this season, posting a 2-1 ATS record in conference battles.

While it can score, Cincinnati’s offense isn’t overly efficient, ranking 104th in field goal percentage (46.1%). Houston’s top-tier defense should limit what the Bearcats can do.

With Houston having scored over 80 in 3 of its last 4, it has proven it can pull away with ease. Houston is 2-2 ATS with a single-digit spread this season. Ultimately, considering their success in the conference and on the road, back HOUSTON -9.5 (-110).

Over/Under

LEAN OVER 134.5 (-115).

Houston might have a rock-solid defense, but it has been scoring at will lately, putting up 87 on SMU, 89 on Tulsa, and 71 on UCF in its last 3 games.

The Cougars have gone Over in 3 straight and are 4-0-1 O/U in their last 5. Cincinnati is 8-7 O/U on the season and is 6-4 O/U in its last 10. Cincinnati’s defense allows 68.7 points per game, ranking 177th in the nation.

Considering the hot Cougars attack and a Cincinnati offense that should look to run, back the OVER 134.5 (-115).

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Houston at Cincinnati odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Sunday’s Houston at Cincinnati odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No. 9 Houston Cougars (19-2, 8-0 AAC) and Cincinnati Bearcats (15-6, 5-3) meet Sunday for a 6 p.m. ET tip-off at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati. Below, we look at the Houston vs. Cincinnati odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Houston ranks fourth in the nation in allowing just 56.5 points per game and heads into this game on an 11-game win streak. UH last played Wednesday when it held Tulane to a 32.8% mark from the floor in a 73-62 triumph. Houston has held foes under 41% in 11 straight games.

The Bearcats are lined up for their first game since winning 60-59 at East Carolina Jan. 30 as their Thursday home game against Memphis was postponed. Cincinnati has the second-best defense in the AAC (62.5 points allowed per game) and returns to action looking for a fifth win in its last six games.

Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Houston at Cincinnati 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 8:23 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Houston -280 (bet $280 to win $100) | Cincinnati +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Houston -5.5 (-120) | Cincinnati +5.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 132.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Houston at Cincinnati odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Houston 70, Cincinnati 62

Money line

UC is rock-solid defensively, but it hasn’t played the schedule Houston has.

UH has logged tremendous defensive performances of its own in recent games. The Cougars excel in forcing shots where the offense doesn’t want them and their shot-blocking is a big part of that. Houston registered 9 blocks in their last game, and they have logged 6 or more blocks in six of their last seven games.

The expected exchanges in chances from rebounds and turnovers also tilt toward the visitors, who figure as a four-out-of-five proposition for this one. TAKE HOUSTON (-280).

Against the spread

The Cougars are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 road games against teams playing at least .600 at home.

The Bearcats are 1-4 ATS in their last five home games against teams with a winning road record.

Houston is 8-1 ATS versus Cincinnati across the last nine meetings in the series. The Cougars have covered four in a row and with ATS margins exceeding 20 points in the last two games.

TAKE THE COUGARS -5.5 (-120).

Over/Under

Respecting Houston’s ability to play in different gears: PASS.

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