No. 1 Houston to face off against No. 14 Kansas: Expert predictions, selections, and betting lines for highly anticipated Big 12 matchup
No. 1 Houston vs. No. 14 Kansas: Predictions, picks, odds for Big 12 showdown
The No. 1 Houston Cougars will attempt to continue their win streak at home on Saturday when they host the No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks in a Big 12 showdown.
The Cougars are 16-0 at home, with an overall conference record of 14-3, and currently lead the Big 12 standings in their first year in the conference.
Houston is coming off a 67-59 win over UCF with L.J. Cryer leading the Cougars with 25 points against the Knights. Cryer is averaging 15.8 points per game so far this season.
Kansas is also coming off a Senior Night win against Kansas State, defeating the Wildcats 90-68. Kevin McCullar Jr. scored 19 points, while Nick Timberlake added 18 points in the Jayhawks' dominant victory.
No. 1 Houston vs. No 14 Kansas predictions
ESPN: Houston has a 91% chance to win
According to ESPN's Matchup Predictor, the Houston Cougars have a 91.2% chance of beating the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday.
Action Network: Over 136
Staff writes: "Kansas and Houston are both in the top 10 in country in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency. However, the first meeting was decided by eight points and finished with 143 total points. That was with Houston shooting 36% from the field and 31% from deep. This matchup is a tick higher at 136, but it still offers value on the total. Additionally, the over has hit in seven of Houston’s last 10 games. That includes a home game against Iowa State, which like Kansas and Houston, also has a stingy defense. Under 140, I like the over in this matchup, and I would be comfortable playing it until that number."
Bleacher Nation: Cougars
Brian Twining writes: "The Cougars are averaging 74.1 points, 5.8 more than the Jayhawks give up. Houston connects on 1.4 more threes per game than the opposition, 7.6 (156th in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 6.2. Offensively, the Cougars have played better at home this season, averaging 77.4 points per game, compared to 70.5 per game when playing on the road. On the offensive side of the ball, Houston has increased its output a little bit over its last 10 games, scoring 74.5 points per contest over that stretch as opposed to the 74.1 it has racked up over the course of this season."
Sports Illustrated: Houston to win
Luke Lindholm writes: "We like Houston to win today and cover the spread because Kansas has not been a good team on the road. The Jayhawks have struggled to close out games away from home, evident in their 3-6 road record this season. The Cougars are a perfect 16-0 on their home floor and have covered the spread in 64.3 percent of their home games. The home crowd should be in full force today for senior night and their last home game of the year, so Houston to cover 9.5 is our expert Kansas vs. Houston prediction."
No. 1 Houston vs. No 14 Kansas betting odds, lines
The Houston Cougars are favored to defeat the Kansas Jayhawks, according to the BetMGM odds.
Spread: Houston (-8.5; Jayhawks (+8.5)
Moneyline: Houston (-375); Jayhawks (+280)
Total Over/Under: 137.5
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How to watch No. 1 Houston vs. No 14 Kansas channel, steaming information
Game day: Saturday, March 9, 2024
Game time: 4:00 p.m., ET
TV channel: ESPN
Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo
How to watch:Catch college basketball action with Fubo
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