The BYU Cougars will meet the #5 Houston Cougars on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET. This game will take place at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO. Both teams are part of the Big 12 Conference, adding extra importance to this contest.
BYU enters as the underdog with a spread of +8.5. Their moneyline is set at +297. On the other hand, Houston is the favorite, having a spread of -8.5 and a moneyline of -397. The over/under for this game is 147.5, indicating expectations for a high-scoring game. Fans can catch the action on ESPN2.
BYU Cougars Team Preview
The BYU Cougars have been strong in their recent games. They won their last three games, including a 68-48 win against West Virginia. AJ Dybantsa stood out in that game with 27 points and 7 rebounds.
In the regular season, BYU averaged 84.5 points per game, ranking 25th nationally. Their field goal percentage is 47.9, placing them 43rd. On defense, they get 7.2 steals per game.
BYU’s record is 23-10 this season, with an even 6-6 away record. In their last 10 games, they won 6 times. As favorites, they have a record of 21-3, showing they perform well when expected to win.
Houston Cougars Team Preview
The Houston Cougars hold an AP rank of #5 and are part of the Big 12 Conference. Their regular season record is 26-5, with an impressive home performance of 18-2. The Cougars have a recent trend of winning, going 3-0 straight up in their last three games.
In their last game against Oklahoma State, the Cougars won 82-75. Kingston Flemings led the team with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists. Joseph Tugler also contributed 12 points and 6 rebounds, showcasing strong performances from key players.
Offensively, the Cougars average 77.6 points per game, ranking 158th. They have a field goal percentage of 45.1%, while their effective field goal percentage is 52.3%. On defense, they average 7.8 steals per game, but have room for improvement in blocks, averaging 3.8 per game.
Betting Prediction
BYU scores 84.5 points per game, ranking them 25th in the nation. Their offense is strong, and they have been consistent this season. With their scoring ability, they can keep up with higher-scoring games.
Houston’s games have gone under in 18 out of 31 times this season. Their defensive play helps to keep scores lower. This suggests that the total score might not go over the set line.
BYU has been scoring well, but Houston’s defense can limit their total output. Considering Houston’s season trend, the game might not reach the 147.5 point mark. Betting on the under seems a smart choice with these stats.
- Pick: Under 147.5 (-113)
