Houston vs Arkansas Prediction 12/20/2025 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Houston Cougars and the Arkansas Razorbacks meet Saturday in college basketball action from Prudential Center in Newark. Here’s a Houston vs Arkansas prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Houston vs Arkansas pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

Houston Cougars Betting Preview

The Cougars won their first six games of the year. In that time Houston dispatched Lehigh, Towson, Oakland, Auburn, Rider and Syracuse in succession. After a loss to Tennessee, Houston has since won their last four. Those wins have come versus Notre Dame, Florida State, Jackson State and New Orleans in succession. Over 11 games now, Houston holds a 10-1 overall record.

In the New Orleans matchup last weekend, the Cougars entered the second half with a 44-23 edge. Houston kept it up from there on a 55-34 run and took the win in the end 99-57. Leading the team in scoring were four different players, including Chris Cenac and Chase McCarthy. That duo each posted 15 points with six boards and one rebound apiece.

Arkansas Razorbacks Betting Preview

Over on the Arkansas side, they beat Southern in their opener this year then fell to Michigan State in game two. The Razorbacks would then beat Central Arkansas, Samford, Winthrop and Jackson State in the next four before another loss to Duke. Since then Arkansas has beaten Louisville, Fresno State, Texas Tech and Queens U in succession. That gives the Razorbacks a 9-2 overall run this year so far.

In the Queens U matchup on Tuesday, the Razorbacks posted a 60-36 run in the first half. Arkansas followed that up with 48 more points from there and rolled to a 108-80 win in the end. Tops in scoring was Trevon Brazile with 26 points, four rebounds and there assists. Darius Acuff was close behind on 23 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double in the victory effort.

Houston Cougars @ Arkansas Razorbacks Betting Trends: December 20, 2025

Why the Arkansas Razorbacks will win

• Arkansas has won eight of its last nine games.

Why the Houston Cougars will win

• Houston has won each of its last 18 December games as a top-15 AP-ranked team.
• Arkansas has lost six of its last seven night games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• Arkansas has lost the first half in four of its last five games as an AP-ranked team at neutral venues.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Arkansas’ last seven night games have produced a total of 149+ points.
• Eight of Houston’s last nine night games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.

Houston vs Arkansas Prediction

I’ll take a stab on Houston but you could call this one either way. The Cougars rolled right through New Orleans in their last game, shooting 54.2 percent from the field with 30 rebounds, 23 team assists and just six turnovers in the blowout victory. Houston has 82 or more points in each of the last three games (all wins) but they did have a couple of dud totals on the card against Notre Dame (66) and Towson (65).

As for Arkansas, they didn’t have too many issues with Queens U in their latest blowout win. The Razorbacks put up 56.3 percent shooting in that one with 22-of-27 (81.5 percent) from the line, 32 rebounds and 26 team assists but did have 13 turnovers along the way. Arkansas has 82 or more points in four straight games (all wins) themselves, so we should have a pretty good total here if both teams get going. It’ll be a fun matchup.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Houston Cougars -4.5