The Cincinnati Bearcats (11-10, 3-5 Big 12) are set to face off against the seventh-ranked Houston Cougars (18-2, 6-1) this Saturday at Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas, with the game scheduled to tip off at noon ET on FOX. Recent performances have seen the Bearcats claiming a 67-57 victory over Baylor, where they covered the spread as 3.5-point favorites. In that game, forward Baba Miller notably contributed with 18 points, 17 rebounds, and a block, while guard Jizzle James supported with 17 points including five three-pointers.
Despite this recent success, Cincinnati has struggled to maintain consistency, managing just three wins in their last eight games, though they’ve performed evenly against the spread with a record of 4-4. Additionally, the Bearcats have had a tendency for low-scoring affairs, with the Under hitting in six of their last eight games.
On the other hand, the Cougars are coming off a strong showing against TCU, where they won 79-70 as 7.5-point favorites, capitalizing on a total that went Over 139.5. Guard Kingston Flemings was particularly impressive, scoring 27 points and continuing a run of positive performances with three consecutive games of at least 20 points. Houston, having won four of their last five games against the spread, is showcasing their strength as a top contender.
Historically, the Cougars have dominated this matchup, winning 13 consecutive meetings with their last loss to Cincinnati occurring on February 1, 2020. The Bearcats lead the all-time series with a record of 33-18, but recent outcomes indicate a shift in momentum.
For those contemplating bets, the projected odds show Cincinnati as significant underdogs with a moneyline of +875, while Houston stands at -1600. The spread sits at Cincinnati +14.5, suggesting a considerable expectation for Houston’s victory margin. Given Cincinnati’s struggles against such large spreads and Houston’s effective play, some analysts recommend focusing on the spread rather than the moneyline.
Looking ahead, there’s potential for the game to trend low scoring based on historical matchups, with some touting the Under 134.5 as a viable option given recent trends favoring low totals in the context of their head-to-head encounters.
This matchup promises to not only be a test of skills for both teams but also a chance for Cincinnati to rise to the occasion against a highly-ranked opponent, while Houston aims to continue their dominating run.