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  3. Houston Cougars vs Cincinnati Bearcats
Sat 4:00 PM ET
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Houston
Cougars67
30-7
versus
Cincinnati Bearcats logo
Cincinnati
Bearcats62
18-15
Final
Team12T
Houston Cougars293867
Cincinnati Bearcats323062
NCAAB · Houston Cougars at Cincinnati Bearcats

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Houston Cougars vs Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Picks & Predictions

Game time: February 10, 2024 at 4:00 PM ET

Venue: Fifth Third Arena — Cincinnati, OH

Article updated Feb 10, 6:23 AM EST

Published by SportsJaw Editorial Team

The 3rd-ranked Houston Cougars will be facing off against the Cincinnati Bearcats in an anticipated game between two recent additions to the Big 12. With a strong overall

Game outlook

The 3rd-ranked Houston Cougars will be facing off against the Cincinnati Bearcats in an anticipated game between two recent additions to the Big 12. With a strong overall record of 20-3, the Cougars have had a successful inaugural season in the Big 12, currently standing at 7-3 in the conference. The Bearcats, meanwhile, hold a 15-7 overall record and are 4-5 in their first season in the Big 12 Conference. Scheduled for 4:00 PM EST, Houston is favored to win the game, with an opening line of -4.75 and the current line at Houston -5.

Betting Odds

Moneyline: Cougars -225 | Bearcats +180

Spread: Cougars -5 (-110) | Bearcats +5 (-110)

Total: Over/Under 130.5 (-110)

Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 69%.

Houston Cougars

The Houston Cougars have been performing well in their debut season in the Big 12 conference. With a 7-3 record in conference play, they recently secured a 79-63 victory against Oklahoma State. This win came after a disappointing loss to Kansas, which was only their third loss of the season. Despite facing challenges, the Cougars demonstrated resilience and dominance as they triumphed over the Cowboys. Jamal Shead led the team with 23 points, supported by Emanuel Sharp's 16 points. It is worth noting that their head coach, Kelvin Sampson, was ejected during the game due to disputing a non-call against their opponents. Despite this setback, the team remained focused and determined to secure the win. Looking ahead, the Cougars aim to continue their success in their upcoming game against Cincinnati. In terms of offensive performance, the team ranks eighth in scoring offense in the Big 12, eleventh in field goal shooting, and fifth in 3-point shooting. On the defensive end, the Cougars exhibit exceptional skills, ranking first in scoring defense, second in field goal defense, and third in 3-point defense in the conference. Additionally, they rank second in total rebounds per game and first in turnovers per game. Evaluating their overall performance, the Cougars have a power ranking of 26 and are ranked 189 in offense, 1 in defense. They have achieved a record of 20-3 this season, with notable statistics in field goal and free throw percentages. They also excel in rebounding and defensive assists, while turnovers remain an area for improvement. Defensively, the Cougars have strong percentages in field goal and three-point defense, while also displaying proficiency in defensive rebounds and assists. Overall, the Houston Cougars have displayed their capabilities on both ends of the court, and their performance positions them as a strong contender in college basketball. Poster child 😤 @theJayfrancis10 x #ForTheCity pic.twitter.com/O7aBi6vr00

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

Cincinnati Bearcats Analysis

The Cincinnati Bearcats recently secured a crucial 75-72 victory against the 15th-ranked Texas Tech, improving their record to 4-5 in the Big 12 conference this season. This win marks their second victory in the last three conference games, coming after a string of three losses in four games. During the game, Simus Lukosius made a game-winning floater with 21 seconds left, giving the Bearcats a two-point lead. They sealed the win with a dunk from John Newman III, assisted by Dan Skillings Jr., after a missed shot by the Red Raiders. Aziz Bandaogo contributed a double-double of 10 points and rebounds, while Skillings and Newman added 14 and 11 points, respectively. This win against Texas Tech is the Bearcats' third triumph against a top-20 team this season, with previous victories over BYU and TCU. Cincinnati head coach Wes Miller expressed his pride in the team's performance, stating that even if they had lost, he would still be proud of their effort. He acknowledged that their approach in the previous game against West Virginia was not up to their usual standard, but he was pleased with their response and resilience in a challenging environment. Coach Miller commended Texas Tech's head coach, Grant McCasland, for his exceptional work in building the program. Looking ahead, with a 15-7 record and wins against top-20 teams, the Bearcats are in a favorable position to secure an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament if they finish the season strongly. A victory over the Cougars would significantly bolster their chances. In terms of statistics, the Bearcats rank 10th in the Big 12 for scoring offense, field goal shooting, and three-point shooting. They are also 13th in three-point field goals made per game in the conference this season. However, their defense is ranked fifth in scoring defense, fourth in field goal defense, and eighth in three-point defense. The Bearcats excel in rebounding, leading the conference in this category. Nevertheless, they struggle with turnovers, ranking ninth in the conference for turnovers per game. It's important to note that guard CJ Frederick is currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Additionally, the Cincinnati Bearcats have a power ranking of 150, ranked 105th for offense, and 57th for defense. They have an overall record of 15-7 (11-11 ATS). Houston has a 0 "It's amazing what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit." A look back on our TEAM win in Lubbock. #Bearcats | #TheMovement pic.twitter.com/vWRy9cFneU

Cougars' Stifling Defense Gives Them the Edge over Struggling Bearcats

Coaches universally acknowledge that defense is a fundamental aspect of successful basketball teams. Although the Cougars may not possess an exceptional offensive prowess, their defense is among the best in the nation. Consequently, their defense will be entrusted with the responsibility of impeding the Bearcats, who have struggled to exhibit proficiency on the offensive front. A closer examination of the Big 12 rankings reveals that the Bearcats are ranked a mere 10th in terms of scoring offense, further indicating their offensive shortcomings. Additionally, their 3-point shooting performances have also been lackluster, ranking almost last in the conference. It is crucial to note that in their victories over top 20 teams, the Bearcats managed to surpass their usual shooting averages. However, against the formidable defense of the Cougars, such success is unlikely to be replicated. The Cougars' stifling defense will likely generate turnovers and allow for easy baskets, while simultaneously minimizing their own offensive turnovers. Consequently, the advantage is tilted in favor of the Cougars.

SportsJawGame Predictions
Predicted score

Unavailable for this preview

Projected winnerUnavailableConfidencelow
Pick on the Spread

Published pick: Unavailable

Pick on the Total

Published pick: Unavailable

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

Current matchup data

Lines, trends and availability

Line movement since open

  • Moneyline · Houston Cougars-228 → -225Moved
  • Moneyline · Cincinnati Bearcats+183 → +185Moved
  • Spread · Houston Cougars-4.75 (-110) → -5 (-110)Moved
  • Spread · Cincinnati Bearcats+4.75 (-110) → +5 (-110)Moved
  • Total · Over129.5 (-110) → 132 (-110)Moved
  • Total · Under129.5 (-110) → 132 (-110)Moved

ATS and O/U trends

Houston Cougars
30-7 matchup record · 4-6-0 ATS · 6-4-0 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file
Cincinnati Bearcats
18-15 matchup record · 6-4-0 ATS · 3-7-0 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file

Injuries and availability

From the published research (2024-02-10T11:23:08.421Z). Availability may have changed; review the cited sources.

The Cincinnati Bearcats recently secured a crucial 75-72 victory against the 15th-ranked Texas Tech, improving their record to 4-5 in the Big 12 conference this season. This win marks their second victory in the last three conference games, coming after a string of three losses in four games. During the game, Simus Lukosius made a game-winning floater with 21 seconds left, giving the Bearcats a two-point lead. They sealed the win with a dunk from John Newman III, assisted by Dan Skillings Jr., after a missed shot by the Red Raiders. Aziz Bandaogo contributed a double-double of 10 points and rebounds, while Skillings and Newman added 14 and 11 points, respectively. This win against Texas Tech is the Bearcats' third triumph against a top-20 team this season, with previous victories over BYU and TCU. Cincinnati head coach Wes Miller expressed his pride in the team's performance, stating that even if they had lost, he would still be proud of their effort. He acknowledged that their approach in the previous game against West Virginia was not up to their usual standard, but he was pleased with their response and resilience in a challenging environment. Coach Miller commended Texas Tech's head coach, Grant McCasland, for his exceptional work in building the program. Looking ahead, with a 15-7 record and wins against top-20 teams, the Bearcats are in a favorable position to secure an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament if they finish the season strongly. A victory over the Cougars would significantly bolster their chances. In terms of statistics, the Bearcats rank 10th in the Big 12 for scoring offense, field goal shooting, and three-point shooting. They are also 13th in three-point field goals made per game in the conference this season. However, their defense is ranked fifth in scoring defense, fourth in field goal defense, and eighth in three-point defense. The Bearcats excel in rebounding, leading the conference in this category. Nevertheless, they struggle with turnovers, ranking ninth in the conference for turnovers per game. It's important to note that guard CJ Frederick is currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Additionally, the Cincinnati Bearcats have a power ranking of 150, ranked 105th for offense, and 57th for defense. They have an overall record of 15-7 (11-11 ATS). Houston has a 0 "It's amazing what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit." A look back on our TEAM win in Lubbock. #Bearcats | #TheMovement pic.twitter.com/vWRy9cFneU

Recent head-to-head

  • 2023-03-11Cincinnati Bearcats 48 · Houston Cougars 69
Final result

Matchup pick recap

Houston Cougars defeated Cincinnati Bearcats 67-62

Houston Cougars defeated Cincinnati Bearcats 67-62 on February 10, 2024, a 5-point decision in the series. Houston Cougars' strongest period was the 2nd half, when it outscored its opponent 38-30. Against SportsJaw's recorded Houston Cougars -5 (-110) spread, the spread pushed, while the 129 combined points finished under the recorded total of 132.

SportsJaw editorial picks

  • Projected winnerNo published selectionUnavailable

Tipster picks

  • BjenkinsSpread · Cincinnati Bearcats +5 (-110)Push
  • CoversSpread · Cincinnati Bearcats +5 (-110)Push
  • CoolioSpread · Houston Cougars -5 (-110)Push
  • CoolioTotal · Over 131.5 (-110)Loss
  • OddssharkSpread · Houston Cougars -5 (-110)Push
  • OddssharkTotal · Over 131.5 (-110)Loss