March 7, 2026, 1:39 a.m. ET

The No. 6 Houston Cougars (25-5, 13-4 Big 12) and the Oklahoma State Cowboys (18-12, 6-11) meet Saturday at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Tip-off is set for noon ET (CBS). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Houston vs. Oklahoma State odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

The Cougars picked up a 77-64 win over the Baylor Bears Wednesday but failed to cover as 13.5-point home favorites, while the Under (143.5) cashed. The Cougars forced 18 turnovers and turned them into 28 points. G Kingston Flemings led the way with 21 points and 7 assists — both game-highs. G Emanuel Sharp added 19 points, while hitting 5 of 10 from 3-point range.

Oklahoma State earned a big road win Tuesday, beating the UCF Knights 111-104 in overtime. The Cowboys cashed as 8.5-point underdogs with the Over (168.5) hitting. G Anthony Roy finished with a game-high 27 points, while G Kanye Clary added 23, including 7 in OT. Oklahoma State has now won 2 of its last 3 games after snapping a 5-game losing streak.

The Cougars have won 4 straight against Oklahoma State. The last meeting was a Cougars’ 72-63 home victory Feb. 4, 2025, but the Cowboys covered as 21.5-point underdogs with the Over (130) cashing.

– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!Houston at Oklahoma State odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:38 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Houston -900 (bet $900 to win $100) | Oklahoma State +600 (bet $100 to win $600)Against the spread (ATS): Houston -12.5 (-110) | Oklahoma State +12.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 148.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Houston at Oklahoma State picks and predictionsPrediction

Houston 82, Oklahoma State 64

PASS.

Houston (-900) will close out their regular season with a convincing road victory, but the price is way too high and not a wise sports bet. I’ll take my wager to the spread.

BET HOUSTON -12.5 (-110).

The Cougars held the Cowboys to 63 points in their last meeting and bring one of the best defensive units in the country into this matchup. Houston allows just 62.3 points per game (PPG), ranking second in the country — Northern Iowa is first at 61.1 PPG. Oklahoma State gives up 82.5 PPG, a massive difference on that end of the floor.

The Cougars control games with their defense and tempo, forcing teams into half-court possessions and taking away easy looks. Flemings (16.6 PPG) and Sharp (15.9 PPG) provide enough scoring to keep the offense moving, especially when Houston creates extra opportunities off turnovers. That defensive pressure has been a major factor all season.

Oklahoma State is coming off a nice overtime win over UCF, but the Cowboys have still lost 6 of their last 8 overall and have struggled against strong defensive teams like Cincinnati, Arizona and Kansas. In this regular-season finale, look for Houston to build momentum heading into the Big 12 Tournament by doing what it does best: Slowing the pace, controlling the game and pulling away late.

BET UNDER 148.5 (-110).

Oklahoma State can score, averaging 84.1 PPG (ranking 26th in the NCAA) and coming off a season-high 111 in an overtime win over UCF. But this matchup comes against one of the best defenses in the country. The Under has also been a trend in this matchup, cashing in 4 of the last 6 meetings, dating back to 2018.

The Under has hit in 3 of Houston’s last 4 games as well. Even during a late-season 3-game skid against ranked teams — losses to No. 7 Iowa State, No. 2 Arizona and No. 15 Kansas — none of those games topped 139 points.

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

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / College Sports Wire / High School / Recruiting