Tennessee vs Houston Prediction 11/25/2025 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Houston Cougars and the Tennessee Volunteers will meet on Tuesday evening in a regular season contest at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Houston Cougars Betting Preview

The Houston Cougars enter Tuesday’s matchup with a 5–0 record. Houston has posted wins over Lehigh, Towson, Oakland, Auburn, and Rider. Their most recent outing was a dominant 91–45 win over Rider four days ago, guard Kingston Flemings compiled 18 points, 9 assists and 2 steals in 31 minutes of play. Flemings shot 80% from the field, hitting 8 of 10 shots, including 2 from behind the three-point line.

The Cougars are averaging 76.4 points per game on 45.8 percent shooting from the field and 30.6 percent shooting from three-point range. Defensively, Houston is allowing 53.4 points per game which ranks second in the country. Freshman guard Kingston Flemings has been the team’s best player this season, averaging 17.4 points, 5.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1 steal and 0.6 blocks a game. Senior guard Emanuel Sharp is averaging 16 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals per contest. Freshman forward Chris Cenac Jr. anchors the paint, averaging 11 points, 7.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks a game. Senior guard Milos Uzan contributes 8.5 points and 5 assists per contest, while forward Joseph Tugler averages 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game.

The Houston Cougars rely on Kingston Flemings and Emanuel Sharp’s scoring. With that said, the Houston Cougars team depth and superior rebounding have made the Cougars one of the most complete teams in the country.

Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview

The Tennessee Volunteers enter Tuesday evening’s contest with a 6–0 win‑loss record. Tennessee has posted wins over Mercer, Northern Kentucky, North Florida, Rice, Tennessee State and Rutgers. In the Volunteers 89–60 victory over Tennessee State four days ago, Tennessee guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie amassed 17 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and three steals.

The Volunteers are averaging 90.0 points per game on 50.2 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent shooting from behind the arc. Defensively, Tennessee has allowed opponents 61.8 points per game (14th in nation) on 34 percent shooting from the field (fifth in country) and 25.5 percent from three‑point range. Freshman forward Nate Ament has averaged 18.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie has contributed 16.6 points, 6 assists and 1.4 steals a game, while forward J.P. Estrella has averaged 14 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest.

Defensively, Tennessee has been strong, holding opponents under 70 points in all of the Volunteers games played in 2025.

Why the Houston Cougars Will Win

•            In five games played this season, the Houston Cougars are allowing opponents to score just 53.4 points per game which ranks second in the country.

•            Balanced scoring. Flemings, Sharp, and Cenac Jr. combine for over 44 points per game.

•            Chris Cenac Jr.’s interior presence. Cenac provides rebounding and rim protection.

Why the Tennessee Volunteers will win

•            Nate Ament is averaging 19.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game providing the Volunteers consistent scoring and rebounding.

•            Ja’Kobi Gillespie has played exceptionally well in 2025, averaging 16.5 points, 6 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

•            Tennessee is averaging 90 points per game, one of the highest marks in the SEC, illustrating the team’s high powered offense.

Houston Cougars vs. Tennessee Volunteers Prediction

This matchup features two undefeated teams with elite defenses and balanced scoring. Houston will look to control the boards with Cenac Jr. and Tugler, while Tennessee will rely on Ament and Gillespie to generate offense.

In my view, the Houston Cougars superior team depth and overall defensive efficiency will be an issue for the Volunteers. Tennessee has been impressive, but they have not yet faced a team of Houston’s talent level. Expect Houston’s defense and rebounding to take it’s toll on the Tennessee Volunteers. I am backing the Houston Cougars to cover the 3.5 points in the contest.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Houston Cougars -3.5