Houston vs. Kansas CBB Picks & Predictions: Jayhawks to Cover at Home?

by | Last updated Jan 25, 2025 | cbb

Houston Cougars (16-3 SU, 10-8-1 ATS) vs. Kansas Jayhawks (14-4 SU, 10-8 ATS)

When: Saturday, January 25th, 6:30 PM (ET)

Where: Allen Fieldhouse, KS, Lawrence

TV: ESPN

Point Spread: HOU +1.5/KAN -1.5

Total: 128.5

Money Line: Houston Cougars -106/-115

Notable Injuries

Cougars

  • Ramon Walker Jr. (Out) Hand
  • Emanuel Sharp (Questionable) Undisclosed
  • Jacob McFarland (Out) Leg

Jayhawks

  • KJ Adams (Out) Shoulder
  • Zach Clemence (Out) Groin
  • Noah Shelby (Out) Undisclosed
  • Elmarko Jackson (Out) Knee
  • Jamari McDowell (Out) Redshirt

Recent Form

Houston Cougars Recent Game/Games

Houston improved to 16-3 on the season with a dominant 70-36 win over Utah on Wednesday. The Cougars, playing at home, were -17.5 point favorites and covered the spread with ease. The game’s total points of 106 fell well short of the O/U line of 133.5.

Houston took control early, leading 41-17 at halftime. They continued their strong defensive play in the second half, allowing just 19 points while adding 29 of their own.

Kansas Jayhawks Recent Game/Games

Kansas improved to 14-4 on the season with a 74-61 road win over TCU on Wednesday. The Jayhawks, who were favored by 7 points, covered the spread in the victory.

After trailing 35-33 at halftime, Kansas turned things around in the 2nd half, outscoring TCU 41-26. The total points for the game finished just under the O/U line of 135.5.

Analysis

Houston’s offense put up 70 points in their last game, shooting 43.3% from the field and 27.8% from beyond the arc, hitting 5 of 18 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 46.7%, and they connected on 50% of their two-point shots, going 21 for 42.

The Cougars grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and dished out 15 assists. Milos Uzan led the way with 14 points and five assists, shooting 66.7% overall and 50% from three. L.J. Cryer added 13 points, hitting 3 of 4 from deep, while J’Wan Roberts contributed 11 points and four rebounds.

Houston’s defense held their opponent to just 36 points despite allowing them to shoot 43% from the field. The Cougars gave up 21 two-point baskets on 42 attempts, a 50% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Houston’s defense limited their opponent to 5 threes on 18 attempts, a 27% success rate. They also sent them to the free-throw line 19 times, where they converted 13, shooting 68%. Houston allowed 15 offensive rebounds.

Kansas put up 74 points in their last game, shooting 55.6% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 61.1%. They hit 64.9% of their two-point attempts, going 24-for-37, and connected on 6-of-17 from beyond the arc, shooting 35.3% from three-point range. At the free-throw line, they made 8-of-10 attempts, good for 80%.

Hunter Dickinson led the way with 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, adding nine rebounds and four assists. Kansas dished out 21 assists as a team, with Zeke Mayo and AJ Storr both shooting 6-of-10 from the field. Shakeel Moore hit 3-of-4 from deep, finishing with 11 points, while Brendan Wenzel struggled, going 1-of-8 from three-point range.

Kansas put the clamps on defensively, holding their opponent to just 61 points on 37% shooting from the field. They were particularly effective in guarding the perimeter, where they allowed only five threes on 24 attempts, a 20% success rate.

Even with 16 offensive rebounds given up, the Jayhawks limited damage at the free-throw line, where their opponent shot just 6/12, or 50%.

Betting Trends

  • The Cougars are 2-1 ATS in their three last road games and 3-0 straight-up.
  • When looking at their past three matchups at home, Kansas has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 61 per game. The team went 2-1 overall in these games.
  • Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Cougars have gone 3-2 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 2-3.
  • As the betting favorite, the Jayhawks have an ATS record of 2-1 in their last three games. In these matchups, their straight-up record was 3-0.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

The last time Houston took the floor, they smoked Utah, but before that, they had a tough time vs UCF on the road. Houston has faced a few ranked opponents this year, and aside from beating West Virginia back on January 15th, they don’t have a true signature win. As for Kansas, they had a big win over Duke early in the season, but they, too, have struggled vs ranked opponents. The Jayhawks even lost at home to that same West Virginia team that Houston beat. Right now, the odds are Kansas -1.5, and I think they benefit from being at home in this one. I have Kansas winning and covering.

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