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Houston vs Baylor Prediction 3/8/25 College Basketball Picks

Pick details

Baylor (18-12) vs Houston (26-4)

March 8, 2025 at 10:00 PM EST

The Line: Betting Odds: Baylor +4.5 — Over/Under: 130.5

(Get latest betting odds)

The Houston Cougars and Baylor Bears meet on Saturday in college basketball action at Foster Pavilion. Here’s a Houston vs Baylor prediction. This article will include a Houston vs Baylor Pick.

Houston Cougars Betting Preview

The Houston Cougars (26-4, 16-14 ATS) are one of the hottest teams in the country and they still keep on winning despite being crowned as the No. 1 seed in the conference a couple of weeks ago. Houston’s longest winning streak of the year (13 wins) ended with an overtime loss to Texas Tech, but the Cougars returned to winning ways and are currently on a nine-game winning run. Houston spent the last two games at home where it defeated Cincinnati and Kansas. The Cougars are at the top of the Big 12 Standings with four wins ahead of Texas Tech and Arizona.

Houston averages 74.5 PPG (172nd) and allows 58.0 PPG (1st). The Cougars are 141st in rebounds (36.4) and 298th in assists (12.6). L.J. Cryer leads the team with 15.0 PPG and 2.2 RPG. Emanuel Sharp follows him with 11.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and a team-high 1.4 SPG, while J’Wan Roberts has 11.1 PPG, a team-high 6.3 RPG, and 1.0 SPG.

Baylor Bears Betting Preview

The Baylor Bears (18-12, 9-18-2 ATS) experienced a three-game losing skid for the first time this season as they lost to Arizona, Colorado, and Cincinnati, but responded with wins over Oklahoma State and TCU. Baylor’s defense was particularly pleasing in those two victories as the Bears allowed just 119 combined points. Baylor is 7th in the Big 12 Standings with the same record as Kansas and is a win ahead of West Virginia, TCU, and Kansas State.

Baylor is averaging 77.3 PPG (98th) and is allowing 69.5 PPG (103rd). The Bears are getting 35.8 RPG (178th) and dish out 14.9 APG (117th). Norchad Omier is the team’s top performer with 15.7 PPG, a team-high 10.5 RPG, 1.3 SPG, and a team-high 1.0 BPG. VJ Edgecombe adds 14.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.3 APG, and a team-high 2.1 SPG, while Robert Wright III contributes 12.0 PPG, 2.2 RPG, a team-high 4.5 APG, and 1.1 SPG.

Why Baylor will cover

  • Baylor has won each of its last 10 Saturday night games.
  • Baylor has won the first half in 12 of its last 15 home games.

Total Points Facts

  • Each of Baylor’s last 19 night games against AP-ranked opponents has produced a total of 132+ points.
  • Four of Houston’s last five road games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 130 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

  • Baylor ranks 45th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (69.3%).
  • Baylor ranks 49th among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (115.2).
  • Houston ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent points per game this season (58.0).
  • Houston ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (19.3).

Houston vs Baylor Prediction

Houston won two of three H2H meetings and was better earlier this season when it was 76-65 in Houston. The Cougars have cemented the No. 1 seed weeks ago, while Baylor still has something to play for. I am not saying Houston will suffer its first road defeat of the season, but the visitors can go into this tilt relaxed and keep some of their starters fresh and healthy for the upcoming conference tourney. Baylor is 13-2 at home and I am backing the Bears to cover, although I’d be surprised if they manage to get a win.

Oliver Zivic's Pick: Baylor +4.5

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