Feb. 14, 2026, 10:53 a.m. ET
The Kansas State Wildcats (10-14, 1-10 Big 12) and the No. 3 Houston Cougars (22-2, 10-1) meet Saturday. Tip-off from Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas, is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET (Peacock). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Kansas State vs. Houston odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
K-State was routed by Cincinnati 91-62 in Manhattan, Kansas, on Wednesday, falling as a 2.5-point underdog as the Over (147.5) cashed. G P.J. Haggerty was the lone bright spot with 24 points on 11-of-18 shooting, the only Wildcats player in double digits. K-State has dropped 5 in a row and is 3-9 against the spread (ATS) in the past 12 games, with the Over hitting in the past 3 outings.
Houston topped Utah on the road Tuesday, 66-52, but it failed to cover as a 16.5-point favorite as the Under (141.5) cashed. G Emanuel Sharp led the way with 27 points, including 8 3-pointers, and he was the only Cougars player in double digits. G Kingston Flemings struggled with his shot, going just 2-of-9 from the field to finish with 4 points.
The Cougars have won 5 in a row since a 4-point loss at Texas Tech on Jan. 24. Houston is 4-1 ATS in the win streak, with the Under cashing in each of the past 4 outings.
These teams have met twice since Houston joined the Big 12 — once in each of the previous two seasons — with the Cougars winning and covering both meetings. That includes an 87-57 win in Manhattan as an 11-point favorite as the Over (128.5) cashed on Jan. 11, 2025.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!Kansas 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 Saturday at 10:45 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Kansas State +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000) | Houston -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)Against the spread: Kansas State +23.5 (-118) | Houston -23.5 (-102)Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Kansas State at Houston picks and predictionsPrediction
Houston 83, Kansas State 58
There is never a reason to back such a heavy favorite like Houston (-10000), no matter how certain a win might seem. It would require $100 for every $1 of profit, and that’s a crazy wager.
PASS, and look to the spread instead.
HOUSTON -23.5 (-102) is worth a look as the heavy favorites, as Kansas State is a terrible team.
The Wildcats have managed just a single win in 11 conference games, while the Cougars have won 5 in a row, are 4-1 ATS in those games, and are 7-2 ATS across their previous 9 games. Houston is 7-2 ATS in its past 9 games as a double-digit favorite, too, and 5-1 ATS as a favorite of 18+ points since Nov. 12.
UNDER 145.5 (-110) is a strong play, as Houston doesn’t roll up huge points, even when it is a giant favorite. On the flip side, K-State should struggle mightily against the suffocating Houston defense.
The Under is 4-0 in the past 4 games for Houston, and 9-3 across the previous 12 outings. The Over has hit in 3 in a row for K-State but the Under hit in 5 straight before that. The Wildcats have scored 62 or fewer points in 4 of their past 5 contests.
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