Houston vs. Kansas Prediction, Odds & Preview Today: Best Picks for Jan. 25
In one of the biggest Big 12 games of the season, Houston (15-3) heads to Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan., to take on Kansas (14-4) tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN).
While both programs are among the March Madness odds favorites, our Houston vs. Kansas predictions, odds & preview sees the Cougars' hard-nosed defense making the difference against an inconsistent Jayhawks team.
Houston is a 1-point favorite on the road as it tries to cover for the seventh time in nine games.
If you're looking for some action in the leadup to this tilt, my Duke vs. Wake Forest prediction has you covered.
Houston vs. Kansas predictions today
College basketball picks based on the odds from our best March Madness betting sites.
- Against the spread pick: Houston -1 (-105 via bet365) vs. Kansas ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- My best pick: Zeke Mayo Under 13.5 points (-105 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Houston vs. Kansas ATS prediction
Houston to cover the spread: -1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Talk about two different roster building philosophies for two of the best teams in the Big 12. On one end, Bill Self is leaning predominantly on transfers, on the other, Kelvin Sampson has built a lineup mainly made up of homegrown players in their third or fourth year with the program.
The Cougars' chemistry and buy-in to playing with a defense-first mentality are why Houston has the third-shortest Final Four odds this season. It's also why the Cougs are set up to win on the road against a Jayhawks team that's 0-1 ATS as an underdog in Big 12 play—KU lost by 17 to Iowa State as a 5.5-point dog.
The biggest reason Kansas is set to struggle is because of its inconsistent offensive play - it's just 34th in adjusted offensive efficiency, per KenPom - and it's down a key starter with KJ Adams out after getting injured against the Cyclones. Those offensive issues will only be amplified against the No. 1 team in adjusted defensive efficiency, points allowed per game (53.9), and field goal percentage allowed (35.3%).
While Houston isn't a team that will blow you away on offense, it's still 13th in adjusted offensive efficiency and has enough with LJ Cryer and Emmanuel Sharp's sharpshooting - the Cougars are sixth in the country in 3-point percentage (39.9%). If those two can lead Houston to a win by two-plus points, a $10 bet pays a $9.52 profit.
Best odds: -105 via bet365 | Implied probability: 51.22%
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Best Houston vs. Kansas pick
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Zeke Mayo Under 13.5 points ⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of Kansas' many new additions via the transfer portal this season, Zeke Mayo, has been by far the most impactful for Self. While the former South Dakota State star is second on the team in points per game (14.9), he's also a very streaky player.
Mayo has as many games of 20-plus points this season as he has games where he's failed to reach double digits (six). That inconsistency will be a problem for him against a Houston defense that's first in the country in D-Rate, per EvanMiya.
The Cougars' backcourt depth—five guards play 15-plus minutes per game—should also allow them to stay fresh against Mayo while J'Wan Roberts, Joseph Tugler, and Ja'Vier Francis work to slow Hunter Dickinson in the frontcourt. If Mayo fails to score 14-plus points for the 11th time this season, a $10 bet pays a $9.52 profit.
Best odds: -105 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 51.22%
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Live Houston vs. Kansas odds
See all of this week's college basketball odds and NCAAB scores.
Houston vs. Kansas opening odds
- Spread: Houston -2 (-110) | Kansas +2 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 128 (-110) | Under 128 (-110)
- Moneyline: Houston -140 | Kansas +120
Houston vs. Kansas game info
- When: Saturday, Jan. 25
- Tipoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Allen Fieldhouse (Lawrence, Kan.)
- How to watch: ESPN
- Favorite: Houston -1 (-105 via bet365)
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