Get ready for a good, old-fashioned bare-knuckle brawl when the Cincinnati Bearcats visit the 10th-ranked Houston Cougars.
As two of the top three scoring defenses in the Big 12 meet here, my Cincinnati vs. Houston predictions and college basketball picks have this one staying Under the total on Saturday, January 31.
Cincinnati vs Houston prediction
Cincinnati vs Houston best bet: Under 134.5 (-110)
These teams keep the lightbulbs on the scoreboard cool, cashing the Under in seven of the last 10 head-to-heads.
The Houston Cougars have the No. 2 scoring defense in the nation, holding teams to 62 points a game on 39.8% shooting (22nd).
The Cincinnati Bearcats are the second-lowest scoring team in the Big 12, putting up just 66.8 points per game. They’ve been able to tread water at 11-10 thanks to a defense that only gives up 69.5 points per game.
Houston averages 79 points a game, but they don’t have a standout quality to lean its offense on, ranking inside the Top 200 in shooting at 45.1%, and 150th in 3-point shooting at 34.6%.
They also play at a tempo ranked 339th in the country, literally squeezing the air out of the ball.
They’ve already shown how low they can go, with the Cougars downing the Bearcats 67-60 to kick off conference play this season. It all adds up to another low-scoring affair in Houston.
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Cincinnati vs Houston same-game parlay
Kingston Flemings did rack up 19 points in the first meeting against Cincinnati, but the Bearcats shouldn’t be caught off guard by the freshman again, and the defensive game plan should reflect that.
Baba Miller has led Cincy in rebounding in 11 straight games, and I like him to stay working the glass against Houston. The senior big has pulled down at least 11 boards in three of his last five, including 17 last time out against Baylor.
Cincinnati vs Houston SGP
- Under 134.5
- Kingston Flemings Under 18.5 points
- Baba Miller Over 9.5 rebounds
Our beyond the arc SGP: Have a nice Day Day
Emanuel Sharp has been hitting a crisp 38% of his 3-pointers this season, but he’s only made three 3-pointers in a game three times in his last eight overall. His 0-for-5 effort from downtown against Cincinnati last meeting was his only donut from distance in a game this season.
Day Day Thomas has scored in double figures just three times in his last 12, but one of them was against Houston, when he put up 15 points in 32 minutes.
Cincinnati vs Houston SGP
- Under 134.5
- Kingston Flemings Under 18.5 points
- Baba Miller Over 9.5 rebounds
- Emanuel Sharp Under 2.5 3-pointers
- Day Day Thomas Over 9.5 points
Cincinnati vs Houston odds
- Spread: Cincinnati +14.5 | Houston -14.5
- Moneyline: Cincinnati +810 | Houston -1450
- Over/Under: Over 134.5 | Under 134.5
Cincinnati vs Houston betting trend to know
The Cougars have won 43 straight home games against non-ranked opponents. Find more college basketball betting trends for Cincinnati vs. Houston.
How to watch Cincinnati vs Houston
| Location | Fertitta Center, Houston, TX |
| Date | Saturday, January 31, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 12:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
Cincinnati vs Houston key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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