Houston (28-4) vs BYU (24-8)
Game Info: Friday, March 14, 2025 at 7:00 pm (T-Mobile Center)
Betting Odds: Houston -6.5 -- Over/Under: 135.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN2
The BYU Cougars and Houston Cougars meet on Friday in college basketball action at T-Mobile Center. Here’s a BYU vs Houston prediction. This article will include a BYU vs Houston Pick.
BYU Cougars Betting Preview
The BYU Cougars (24-8, 19-12-1 ATS) finished the regular season in style with eight consecutive victories, their longest winning streak of the year. During that stretch, the Cougars beat ranked teams Kansas, Arizona, and Iowa State and secured the No. 4 seed for the Big 12 tournament. BYU met Iowa State again, this time in the conference quarterfinals, and registered a 96-92 win, setting the tournament record with 18 three-pointers along the way.
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BYU averages 81.4 PPG (29th) and allows 70.3 PPG (120th). The Cougars are 82nd in rebounds (37.5) and 18th in assists (17.2). Richie Saunders leads the team with 16.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and a team-high 1.2 SPG. Egor Demin follows him with 10.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, a team-high 5.6 APG, and 1.1 SPG, while Trevin Knell chips in 9.1 PPG and 2.5 RPG.
Houston Cougars Betting Preview
The Houston Cougars (28-4, 16-15-1 ATS) have been one of the most dominant teams this season and are currently No. 2 ranked teams in the country, right behind Duke. The Cougars were on a 13-game winning run that ended with a loss to Texas Tech, but they continued where they left off with ten more victories and clinched a top seed for the Big 12 tourney. Houston, harder than expected, beat Colorado 77-68 in the quarterfinals but did control the majority of the game.
Houston is averaging 74.2 PPG (176th) and is allowing 58.1 PPG (1st). The Cougars are getting 36.3 RPG (144th) and dish out 12.5 APG (316th). L.J. Cryer is the team’s top performer with 15.3 PPG and 2.2 RPG. Emanuel Sharp has 11.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 1.4 SPG, while J'Wan Roberts contributes 11.1 PPG, a team-high 6.4 RPG, and 1.0 SPG.
Why BYU will beat Houston
- BYU has won each of its last nine games against the Big 12 Conference.
- Houston has lost six of its last seven games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
Why Houston will beat BYU
- Houston has won each of its last 11 games.
- BYU has lost each of its last six night games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents.
- BYU has lost the first half in 11 of its last 13 night games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Eighteen of BYU's last 19 games against AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 136+ points.
- Each of Houston's last three games against AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 130 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Houston ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (4.7).
- Houston ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for net rating this season (+25.6).
- BYU ranks 13th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (17.2).
- BYU ranks 16th among Division 1 teams for true shooting percentage this season (60.1%).
BYU vs Houston Prediction
Houston won three of four H2H thus far. Houston was better in the first meeting of the season when it dismantled BYU 86-55. I don't think Houston will be that dominant in this one, though. BYU showed some great basketball recently and I am sure will not go out without a fight. We all know that Houston has the best defense in the country, but if Colorado scored 68 against that D last night, BYU can at least score 70. BYU's games are usually entertaining and with a lot of points; they have a 19-12-1 Over/Under record, while eight of the previous ten games went Over. The lone H2H this season also went Over, so I am backing Over once again here.
Oliver’s Pick Over 135.5
AUTHOR: Oliver Zivic
