Updated Jan. 28, 2026, 2:49 a.m. ET

The No. 7 Houston Cougars (17-2, 5-1 Big 12) and the TCU Horned Frogs (13-7, 3-4) meet Wednesday. Tip-off from Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Houston vs. TCU odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

These teams have met just 3 times as fellow Big 12 members, with Houston winning 2-1 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) since Jan. 13, 2024. That includes a 65-46 victory as an 18.5-point favorite at Fertitta Center in Houston on Jan. 6, 2025 in the most recent meeting last season, as the Under (129) cashed.

Houston is looking to bounce back after a 90-86 loss at the No. 11 Texas Tech Red Raiders last time out on Saturday as a 1.5-point favorite as the Over (141.5) cashed. G Kingston Flemings erupted for 42 points on 15-of-26 shooting, including 4-of-9 from behind the 3-point line, while posting 6 assists and 2 steals. G Emanuel Sharp had 20 points, but those were the only 2 players in double digits for points.

The loss to the Red Raiders halted an 11-game losing streak. Houston is still 3-1 ATS in the past 4 games, and 8-3 ATS across the previous 112 outings. The Over has cashed in 2 in a row, while the Under has cashed in 5 of the previous 7 games, though.

TCU topped the Baylor Bears 97-90 at Waco as a 4.5-point underdog on Saturday as the Over (147.5) cashed, as G Jayden Pierre went for 25 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-4 from behind the 3-point line. F Xavier Edmonds added 23 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds with a block.

The Horned Frogs have won 2 in a row, but they’re also dropped 4 of the past 6 outings. TCU is 2-3 ATS in the past 5 games, while the Over has a 4-2 edge in the previous 6 contests.

– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!Houston at TCU odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:01 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Houston -325 (bet $325 to win $100) | TCU +260 (bet $100 to win $260)Against the spread: Houston -7.5 (-105) | TCU +7.5 (-115)Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Houston at TCU picks and predictionsPrediction

Houston 77, TCU 66

Houston (-325) will set you back nearly 3 1/2 times your potential return, and that’s way too expensive for a standalone bet. You’re pushing it including the Cougars in a multi-leg parlay, too. In fact, it might only be OK to toss UH into the mix in a multi-leg parlay with at least 4 other selections.

PASS, and look to the spread instead.

HOUSTON -7.5 (-105) is a strong play, as the Cougars arrive in Fort Worth super angry after a loss to the Red Raiders last time out. That’s not going to end well for a mediocre Horned Frogs side.

TCU is just 3-4 SU in Quad 1 games, and Houston is certainly a Q1 foe. On the flip side, Houston is 4-2 SU in Q2 games, although it is just 2-4 ATS in those games, and 1-2 ATS inside the conference. Still, Houston is hopping made after the loss last time out, so bank on the Cougars getting it done.

OVER 137.5 (-110) is the play, but don’t go crazy.

UH has cashed high in 2 in a row, as the offense has exploded for 94.5 points per game in the past 2 games, while allowing 81.5 PPG. For TCU, the Over is 4-2 in the past 6 games, while the trend is neutral at home, going 2-2 in the past 4 games.

Be careful, too, as the Under has cashed in each of the 3 meetings so far as fellow Big 12 members.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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