Dec. 13, 2025, 11:13 a.m. ET

The New Orleans Privateers (3-7) and No. 8 Houston Cougars (9-1) meet Saturday at Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas, scheduled for 3 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the New Orleans vs. Houston odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

Houston leads the all-time series 3-1. Houston won the most recent meeting 75-66 at home Nov. 29, 2017.

New Orleans eked out an 84-83 win as a 1.5-point underdog at home last Monday, with the Over (149) cashing and halting a 6-game losing streak. G TJ Cope led the way with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in 35 minutes. The team was 1-5 against the spread (ATS) during that 6-game skid, too.

Houston routed Jackson State 80-38 on Wednesday as a 40.5-point favorite as the Under (135.5) cashed. G Emanuel Sharp went for 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including 5-of-8 from behind the arc. The Cougars have won 3 in a row, and they’ve covered in back-to-back games for the first time this season. The Under is 2-1 in the past 3, too.

– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!New Orleans 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 11:13 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Off the boardAgainst the spread: New Orleans +34.5 (-110) | Houston -34.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 140.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)New Orleans at Houston picks and predictionsPrediction

Houston 91, New Orleans 54

PASS.

Move along — nothing to see here.

HOUSTON -34.5 (-110) is a strong play against New Orleans, who figures to be quite overwhelmed in this one.

The Cougars aren’t a high-scoring team, as they pride themselves on efficient shooting and a suffocating defense. However, the Privateers are very giving, allowing at least 81 points in 7 in a row. Houston should pile up the points on UNO, and the Privateers will be unable to keep up.

New Orleans is just 2-5 ATS in the past 7 games, and it has allowed 85.5 PPG in the past 4 games against power conference teams.

OVER 140.5 (-110) is a strong play in this Gulf Coast matchup.

The Over has cashed in 3 in a row for UNO, while going 5-2 across the past 7 games.

While Houston is 2-1 to the Under in its past 3 games, the Over has cashed in 5 of its previous 7 outings.

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