Jan. 18, 2026, 7:35 a.m. ET
The Arizona State Sun Devils (10-7, 1-3 Big 12) visit the No. 7 Houston Cougars (16-1, 4-0) Sunday at Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas. Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Arizona State vs. Houston odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
Arizona State has lost 5 of its last 6 after falling 89-82 against the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats Wednesday, covering as a 21.5-point road underdog as the Over (168.5) hit. G Maurice Odum scored a team-high 23 points as only 4 Sun Devils players scored in double figures in the loss.
Houston has won 10 games in a row after dominating the West Virginia Mountaineers 77-48 Tuesday, covering as a 13.5-point favorite with the Under (127.5) hitting. G Milos Uzan led all scorers with 17 points.
Houston won 80-65 last season to tie the all-time series at 3-3.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!Arizona State at Houston odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:26 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Arizona State +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000) | Houston -2000 (bet $2,000 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Arizona State +16.5 (-110) | Houston -16.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)Arizona State at Houston picks and predictionsPrediction
Houston 81, Arizona State 62
PASS.
There is no value on the Cougars (-2000), who are undefeated at home, against a Sun Devils (+1000) squad that is just 1-3 on the road.
LEAN HOUSTON -16.5 (-110).
The Cougars are 7-3 ATS over their last 10 games and have covered in 4 of their last 5 as double-digit favorites. They are dominant on both sides of the ball, scoring at least 77 in 6 of their last 9 and allowing 55 or fewer in back-to-back games.
The Sun Devils have failed to cover in 4 of their last 5 and have been blown out on more than one occasion. Facing one of the best teams in the country will be a difficult task.
BET UNDER 145.5 (-110).
Despite the Cougars’ ability to push the pace of games, they have scored over 70 points just twice in the last 5 games. They average 77.1 points per game (PG). Defensively, they have allowed 66 or fewer points in 9 of their last 10 overall. They are allowing just 59.3 PPG, the best in the nation.
The Sun Devils have scored 77 or fewer points in 3 of their last 6. Although they average 80.1 PPG, against a team of the defensive caliber that the Cougars are, expect the road team to struggle to score consistently.
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