The Houston Cougars (18-2) are set to face off against the Texas Longhorns (14-6) in a highly anticipated Big 12 showdown. With Houston on a four-game winning streak and Texas looking to improve their conference record, this matchup at the Moody Center is poised to be a battle of defensive prowess and offensive strategy. We have your Houston at Texas predictions and picks for this pivotal college hoops matchup on Monday, Jan. 29.
Houston at Texas Odds
- Moneyline: Houston -215 (FanDuel) / Texas +190 (BetRivers)
- Spread: Houston -5 (DraftKings)
- Total: 129.5 (BetMGM)
Game Info
- Date: Monday, Jan. 29
- Time: 09:00 PM ET
- Location: Moody Center – Austin, TX
- TV: ESPN
Houston Cougars Betting Trends
- On the road, Houston Cougars are 2 and 2 this season.
- Against the spread this season, Houston Cougars are 11 and 8.
- Against the spread on the road, Houston Cougars are 2 and 5.
Texas Longhorns Betting Trends
- At home, Texas Longhorns are 10 and 2 this season.
- Against the spread this season, Texas Longhorns are 6 and 14.
- Against the spread at home, Texas Longhorns are 4 and 10.
Houston at Texas College Basketball Preview
The Houston Cougars, led by the scoring talents of L.J. Cryer and the rebounding force of J’Wan Roberts, have been dominating the court with their top-ranked defense and a strong 5-2 conference record. Their slow-paced, methodical approach has been effective, but they will need to maintain their defensive intensity on the road against a Texas team that has shown resilience at home with a 10-2 record at the Moody Center.
Texas, on the other hand, boasts a potent offense with Max Abmas leading the charge, averaging 17.6 points per game.
6th 20+ point game of the season for @maxabmas 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/Xau4HSqUp4
— Texas Men’s Basketball (@TexasMBB) January 24, 2024
The Longhorns have been struggling to find consistency in conference play, but their impressive 48.2% field goal percentage shows they can score efficiently. The key for Texas will be to crack Houston’s stifling defense and make the most of their home-court advantage to stay competitive in the Big 12 race.
This game will likely come down to key player matchups and which team can impose their style of play. Houston’s defense against Texas’s offense will be the main event, but the battle on the boards and the performance of role players could tip the scales. With both teams looking to solidify their positions in the conference, expect a hard-fought contest that could have significant implications for the Big 12 standings.
Houston at Texas Predictions
The under is the smart play for this matchup, considering the defensive capabilities of both teams.
Houston leads the nation in scoring defense, allowing a mere 51.9 points per game, and they also top the charts in field-goal percentage defense at 35.1%. This defensive efficiency, combined with their slow pace of play, suggests that they will control the tempo and limit scoring opportunities for Texas.
Furthermore, the Cougars have trended towards the under this season, with a record of 6-14 in over/under betting, reinforcing the expectation of a low-scoring affair.
While Texas has a strong offensive unit, they will be up against the best defense in the country.
The Longhorns’ recent games have also leaned towards the under, with a 1-4 record in their last five games.
With both teams emphasizing defense and a slow tempo, it’s unlikely that this game will break the pattern, making the under a compelling pick for this Big 12 showdown.
The Pick: Under 129.5 (PointsBet)