Houston vs Cincinnati College Basketball Prediction, Odds, Picks, Best Bets for Jan. 3

The Houston Cougars (12-1, 0-0 Big 12) hope to build on a three-game road winning streak when they visit the Cincinnati Bearcats (8-5, 0-0 Big 12) on January 3, 2026.

Before you place your bet on this matchup at FanDuel Sportsbook, here are the NCAA basketball odds and spreads you need to know.

Houston vs. Cincinnati Game Info and Odds

• Game day: Saturday, January 3, 2026
• Game time: 2 p.m. ET
• TV channel: FOX
• Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
• Arena: Fifth Third Arena

Houston vs. Cincinnati Picks and Prediction

All college basketball win probability predictions and picks are according to numberFire.
Prediction: Houston win (68.9%)

Take a look at the betting insights and trends below before placing a bet on Saturday's Houston-Cincinnati spread (Houston -7.5) or over/under (135.5 points).

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Houston vs. Cincinnati: ATS Betting Stats and Trends

• Houston has put together a 6-7-0 ATS record so far this year.
• Cincinnati has covered five times in 13 matchups with a spread this season.
• Houston covers the spread when it is a 7.5-point favorite or more 45.5% of the time. That's more often than Cincinnati covers as an underdog of 7.5 or more (never covered this season).
• At home last season, the Cougars had a worse record against the spread (10-7-0) compared to their ATS record in away games (7-3-0).
• The Bearcats were better against the spread away (7-6-0) than at home (7-10-0) last year.

Houston vs. Cincinnati: Moneyline Betting Stats

• Houston has been victorious in eight of the nine contests it has been chosen as moneyline favorites in this season.
• The Cougars have not lost in six games this year when favored by -375 or better on the moneyline.
• Cincinnati has been listed as the moneyline underdog a total of four times this season, and it has lost each of those games.
• The Bearcats have played as a moneyline underdog of +290 or longer in just one game this season, which they lost.
• The moneyline set for this matchup implies Houston has a 78.9% chance of walking away with the win.

Houston vs. Cincinnati Head-to-Head Comparison

• On offense, Houston was the 182nd-ranked team in the nation (73.7 points per game) last year. On defense, it was best (58.7 points conceded per game).
• Houston was 96th in the nation in rebounds per game (33.3) and 10th-best in rebounds conceded (26.9) last season.
• With 12 assists per game last year, Houston was 292nd in the country.
• Houston was the third-best team in college basketball in turnovers per game (8.4) and 85th in turnovers forced (12.3) last year.
• Cincinnati posted 71.2 points per game (255th-ranked in college basketball) last season, while allowing 66.2 points per contest (33rd-ranked).
• Cincinnati grabbed 32 rebounds per game (179th-ranked in college basketball) last year, while allowing 29.9 rebounds per contest (94th-ranked).
• Cincinnati dished out 13.9 dimes per game, which ranked them 148th in college basketball.
• Cincinnati averaged 9.7 turnovers per game (45th-ranked in college basketball) this year, while forcing 12.5 turnovers per contest (74th-ranked).

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