The No. 8 Houston Cougars (12-1) are set to face the Cincinnati Bearcats (8-5) in a highly anticipated match as they kick off their Big 12 season. This Saturday showdown is scheduled to take place at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, with the game tipping off at 2 p.m. ET and televised on FOX.
Houston enters this game riding a six-game winning streak and a perfect 5-0 record in December. Their latest victory came against Middle Tennessee, where they secured a 69-60 win but fell short of covering the spread as heavy favorites. The Cougars have showcased an impressive defensive performance this season, holding opponents to 60 points or fewer eight times.
On the other hand, Cincinnati also wrapped up their 2025 campaign on Monday, delivering a dominant performance against Lipscomb with an 89-62 win while successfully covering as 14-point favorites. Despite struggles with three-point shooting and turnover issues earlier in the season, Cincinnati demonstrated improvement, hitting 38% of their long-range attempts and committing only eight turnovers in their last outing. The Bearcats are a solid 8-1 in home games this season.
In last season’s encounter, Houston defeated Cincinnati 73-64 in a game played in Houston, although the Bearcats managed to cover as 13-point underdogs. Historically, Houston has enjoyed a dominant run against Cincinnati, winning 10 consecutive matchups, with Cincinnati covering in four of those contests.
Analyzing the odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook, the Cougars are favored at -300 on the moneyline, suggesting a strong likelihood of victory, while the Bearcats sit at +240. The point spread favors Houston by 6.5 points, with betting options suggesting a generally competitive matchup.
Both teams present a unique contrast in style, with Houston preferring a slower pace while Cincinnati leans towards a faster approach. The game promises to be a battle of defense versus offense, and considering both teams’ defensive efficiency, the betting trend has leaned towards the Under. The last eight encounters between these teams have produced more unders than overs, with Cincinnati’s recent home games also tilting in favor of the Under.
With Houston’s ability to apply pressure and rebound aggressively, coupled with Cincinnati’s offensive inconsistencies, predictions favor a 71-63 win for the Cougars.
As the two teams prepare for this Big 12 showdown, fans can expect an engaging contest filled with intensity and strategic play.