SportsJaw
LeaderboardToday's GamesBest BetsLive OddsMake Picks
Login / Sign In
Today's GamesLatest PredictionsToday’s Best BetsLive OddsTeam PredictionsHead-to-Head MatchupsSJ CoinsAbout SportsJawContact UsLogin / Sign In
HomeMatchupsMake PicksLeaders
SportsJaw

The social platform for sports bettors.

Explore SportsJaw

  • Today’s Picks
  • Predictions
  • Best Bets
  • Leaderboard
  • Make Picks
  • Live Odds
  • Team Predictions
  • Head-to-Head
  • Game Briefing

Picks by Sport

  • NFL Picks
  • NCAAF Picks
  • NBA Picks
  • NCAAB Picks
  • MLB Picks
  • NHL Picks

About SportsJaw

  • How It Works
  • SJ Coins
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact Us

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Picks are opinions, not guarantees. Past results do not predict future outcomes.

© 2026 SportsJaw. For entertainment purposes only. SportsJaw does not accept or place wagers.

  1. Home
  2. NCAAB Picks
  3. BYU Cougars vs Houston Cougars
Sat 2:00 PM ET
BYU Cougars logo
BYU
Cougars55
23-12
versus
Houston Cougars logo
Houston
Cougars86
30-7
Final
Team12T
BYU Cougars223355
Houston Cougars394786
NCAAB · BYU Cougars at Houston Cougars

Your Picks on BYU vs Houston

Picks closed
Spread
Moneyline
Total

BYU Cougars vs Houston Cougars Betting Picks & Predictions

Game time: January 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET

Venue: Fertitta Center — Houston, TX

Article updated Jan 3, 10:30 PM EST

Published by SportsJaw Editorial Team

In an upcoming basketball matchup, two teams are set to face off in Texas in search of a crucial win. BYU will be traveling to Houston to take on the home team. BYU is coming

Game outlook

In an upcoming basketball matchup, two teams are set to face off in Texas in search of a crucial win. BYU will be traveling to Houston to take on the home team. BYU is coming off a convincing 76-56 victory over Arizona State, while Houston recently defeated Oklahoma State 60-47. Houston currently leads the all-time series between the two teams with a 30-7 record, including a 75-68 road win in their last meeting. Houston has opened as the betting favorite at -11.5 and the line has remained unchanged.

Betting Odds

Moneyline: Cougars +490 | Cougars -710

Spread: Cougars +11.5 (-110) | Cougars -11.5 (-110)

Total: Over/Under 135.5 (-110)

Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 88%.

BYU Cougars

BYU secured their fourth consecutive victory by defeating Arizona State in their recent game Tuesday night. The Cougars now stand at 10-2 overall and hold a 1-0 record in the Big 12 for the season. BYU dominated the game against Arizona State, taking an early lead and maintaining it throughout the contest. Led by Richie Saunders with 30 points and six rebounds, the Cougars showcased strong offensive and defensive play. BYU ranks 24th in offense, averaging 85.64 points per game, and 37th in defense, allowing 64.73 points per game. They boast impressive shooting percentages and rebounding statistics, positioning them as a formidable team in the NCAA. With key contributors and solid team performance, BYU has demonstrated their capabilities on both ends of the court this season.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Picks are opinions, not guarantees. Past results do not predict future outcomes.

Houston Cougars Analysis

The Houston Cougars extended their win streak to five games with a dominant performance against Oklahoma State. Led by J'Wan Roberts, who contributed 20 points and 11 rebounds, the Cougars shot 42.1% from the floor and held their opponent to just 25.9% shooting. With a strong defensive showing, Houston currently ranks 1st in the nation in scoring defense, allowing an average of 54.6 points per game. Offensively, the Cougars are ranked 174th in the nation with an average of 76.5 points per game. They shoot 45.3% from the field and 40.6% from beyond the arc, ranking 8th in Division I. Houston has a power ranking of 12 and a record of 30-7 overall. Additionally, they average 38.91 rebounds per game and 14.00 assists. On defense, the Cougars excel at limiting their opponents' scoring, allowing just 33.10% shooting from the field and 27.50% from three-point range. Overall, Houston has shown strong performance on both ends of the court, making them a team to watch in NCAA basketball.

BYU faces tough test against experienced Houston team, critical evaluation ahead

BYU faces a challenging matchup against a seasoned Houston team, providing a crucial assessment of the Cougars' performance this season. In his inaugural year with the program, BYU's coach navigates a roster with less returning talent than typically observed in Provo. The team's previous road game resulted in a decisive 83-64 loss against Providence, highlighting their vulnerability away from home. Conversely, Houston boasts a well-established lineup, ranking 8th in the nation for minutes continuity from the previous season. The team remains undefeated at the Fertitta Center, with each victory secured by a substantial margin. While the outcome may not be as lopsided, Houston is predicted to secure a home victory with their formidable defensive prowess.

SportsJawGame Predictions
Predicted score

Unavailable for this preview

Projected winnerUnavailableConfidencelow
Pick on the Spread

Published pick: Unavailable

Pick on the Total

Published pick: Unavailable

#BYUCougars#HoustonCougars

Share this preview

Facebook X Reddit Email
SportsJaw logo
Written by

SportsJaw Editorial Team

SportsJaw published this archived preview from its original game-day article. Its prediction and quoted lines are preserved as written.

About our editorial process

SportsJaw Cougars vs Cougars archived game preview contains historical odds and availability that may no longer be current. View history of past Cougars vs Cougars matchups or learn how our predictions work.

Current matchup data

Lines, trends and availability

Line movement since open

  • Moneyline · BYU Cougars+490 → +421Moved
  • Moneyline · Houston Cougars-710 → -553Moved
  • Spread · BYU Cougars+11.5 (-110) → +10 (-110)Moved
  • Spread · Houston Cougars-11.5 (-110) → -10 (-110)Moved
  • Total · Over135.5 (-110) → 133.5 (-110)Moved
  • Total · Under135.5 (-110) → 133.5 (-110)Moved

ATS and O/U trends

BYU Cougars
23-12 matchup record · 4-6-0 ATS · 5-5-0 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file
Houston Cougars
30-7 matchup record · 4-6-0 ATS · 3-7-0 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file

Injuries and availability

From the published research (2025-01-04T03:30:22.896Z). Availability may have changed; review the cited sources.

No verified injury or availability note was included in the published matchup research.

Recent head-to-head

  • 2024-01-23Houston Cougars 75 · BYU Cougars 68
Final result

Matchup pick recap

Houston Cougars defeated BYU Cougars 86-55

Houston Cougars defeated BYU Cougars 86-55 on January 4, 2025, a 31-point decision in the series. Houston Cougars' strongest period was the 1st half, when it outscored its opponent 39-22. Against SportsJaw's recorded BYU Cougars +10 (-110) spread, Houston Cougars covered, while the 141 combined points finished over the recorded total of 133.5.

SportsJaw editorial picks

  • Projected winnerNo published selectionUnavailable

Tipster picks

  • DengWinsSpread · BYU Cougars +11.5 (-110)Loss