Feb. 7, 2026, 12:59 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
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<\/a> NCAA basketball odds around the Houston vs. BYU odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions<\/a> for the best bets.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Houston and BYU met twice last season; Houston swept the 2 games and has won 3 straight vs. BYU.<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0Rankings:\u00a0USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll<\/a><\/p>\n Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!<\/a>Houston at BYU odds<\/p>\n Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook<\/a>; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub<\/a> for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 12:50 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n BYU 76, Houston 75<\/p>\n Houston has played the easier slate of late, and a hiccup in a tough road environment would not be a surprise in this spot.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n BACK THE OVER 148.5 (-110).<\/p>\n For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com<\/a> and BetFTW<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter\/X<\/a> and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:<\/p>\n Alabama<\/a> \/ Auburn<\/a> \/ Clemson<\/a>\u00a0\/ Colorado<\/a> \/ Duke<\/a> \/\u00a0Florida<\/a> \/ Florida State<\/a> \/\u00a0Georgia<\/a> \/ Iowa<\/a> \/ Kentucky<\/a> \/\u00a0LSU<\/a>\u00a0\/ Michigan<\/a>\u00a0\/ Michigan State<\/a> \/ Nebraska<\/a> \/ North Carolina<\/a> \/ Notre Dame<\/a>\u00a0\/ Ohio State<\/a>\u00a0\/ Oklahoma<\/a> \/ Oregon<\/a> \/ Penn State<\/a> \/ Tennessee<\/a>\u00a0\/ Texas<\/a> \/ Texas A&M<\/a> \/ UCLA<\/a> \/ USC<\/a> \/ Washington<\/a> \/\u00a0Wisconsin<\/a> \/ College Sports Wire<\/a> \/ High School<\/a> \/ Recruiting<\/a><\/p>\n Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. 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