Feb. 7, 2026, 12:59 p.m. ET
The No. 8 Houston Cougars (20-2, 8-1 Big 12) and No. 14 BYU Cougars (17-5, 5-4) meet in a Saturday top-20 showdown in Provo, Utah. The contest at Marriott Center will tip off at 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Houston vs. BYU odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
Houston’s most recent game was Wednesday when the Cougars routed +14.5 UCF 79-55 (Under 147.5) in a contest on home hardwood. The Big 12’s top defensive team (61.4 points per game, second in the nation) has won 3 straight games and 14 of its last 15. Over those last 15 games, UH has held opposing shooters to a 39.9% mark from the field.
Brigham Young also last played on Wednesday, losing 99-92 at Oklahoma State as a 7.5-point favorite with the Over (167.5) cashing. It was the Cougars’ third straight loss and fourth in their last 5 games.
Houston and BYU met twice last season; Houston swept the 2 games and has won 3 straight vs. BYU.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!Houston at BYU odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 12:50 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Houston -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | BYU -110 (bet $110 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Houston -1.5 (+100) | BYU +1.5 (-120)Over/Under (O/U): 148.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Houston at BYU picks and predictionsPrediction
BYU 76, Houston 75
Houston has played the easier slate of late, and a hiccup in a tough road environment would not be a surprise in this spot.
From a shot-quality standpoint, BYU comes out better at both ends of the floor than might be expected. The home five in this one is adept at forcing low-percentage midrange shots. BYU’s tempo may also prove to be a rude awakening for Houston, which plays at a plodding tempo and has not yet played the Big 12’s fastest teams.
BYU has enough of a shot at burying 3s at a rate that turned this into a pick-’em in Provo. BRIGHAM YOUNG (-110) is worth a partial-unit play on the Moneyline.
If you feel more comfortable getting the point-and-a-half and are willing to slightly lessen your return, this would be worth a small bet. But for me, no interest; PASS.
The Over is 3-1 across the last 4 series meetings and has cashed in 4 straight BYU games. The last 8 BYU February games have tilted toward the Over 7 times.
This will be a tortoise-and-hare matchup for sure, but one with plenty of offensive efficiency at both ends. Look for enough 3-point shooting to push this final tally into the 150s.
BACK THE OVER 148.5 (-110).
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