The No. 5 Houston Cougars, boasting a record of 19 wins and 4 losses (11-1 in the Big 12), are set to host the Baylor Bears, who have a record of 15-8 (7-5 in Big 12), on February 10, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET at Fertitta Center.

Baylor comes into this game having won two of its last three, including a recent 91-76 victory over UCF, where senior forward Norchad Omier contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Houston recently defeated the Colorado Buffaloes 69-59 as a 14-point favorite, showcasing their strong defensive capabilities by allowing just 57 points per game this season.

The Cougars have been on a roll, winning 15 of their last 16 games, with senior forward J'Wan Roberts leading the team with 20 points in their win against Colorado.

This matchup marks the first of two meetings this season, with a rematch scheduled for March 8, 2025.

The spread favors Houston by 9.5 points, with Baylor at +9.5 (-115) and Houston at -9.5 (-105), indicating a competitive game ahead.

Predictions suggest a close contest, with an expected final score of Houston 71, Baylor 68.

Recent trends indicate a likelihood of scoring over 134.5 points, as both teams have shown offensive capabilities, with Baylor averaging 69.6 points allowed per game.

The over/under for the game is set at 134.5, with both over and under bets at -110.

Despite Houston's strong defense, betting on their heavily favored moneyline is deemed risky, while betting on the spread or total may be more favorable.

The SportsLine model has a successful betting record, simulating games 10,000 times and achieving a 211-154 betting roll on top-rated college basketball picks since 2023.

The SportsLine model leans towards betting the Over, and has generated a point-spread pick hitting over 60% of the time.