Colorado vs. Houston Prediction, Odds & Expert Picks Today: Big 12 Quarterfinal Best Bets Today

Last Updated: March 13, 2025 1:04 PM EDT • 6 minute read X Social Google News Link

Colorado aims to extend its Cinderella run against the Big 12’s top-seeded Houston Cougars, one of the favorites in the latest March Madness odds.
The 16th-seeded Buffaloes pulled off two stunning wins to reach the Big 12 quarterfinal, but they face a steep challenge today. Houston is a 17.5-point favorite for the 3 p.m. ET matchup (ESPN2) at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
Check out our Colorado vs. Houston prediction, odds, and expert picks for this Big 12 showdown.
📈 Colorado vs. Houston odds movement
Houston opened as a 17.5-point favorite against Colorado with the line at our best sports betting apps not seeing much movement as tip approaches. Despite the Cougars being favored, 55% of bettors at BetMGM are backing Colorado to cover.
💰 Colorado vs. Houston predictions, expert picks & best bets: Big 12 Quarterfinal today
Here are my best Colorado vs. Houston predictions, expert picks, and best bets today with my pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale. Be sure to check out the rest of our college basketball picks along with our guide on how to bet on college basketball. Follow along with our SBR bracketology, which covers the latest expert picks and March Madness predictions.
- Against the spread pick: Houston -17.5 (-105 via BetMGM) vs. Colorado ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- My best player prop bet: LJ Cryer Over 16.5 points (-110 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Exact score prediction: Houston 75, Colorado 52 (+18000 via DraftKings)
🏀 Colorado vs. Houston ATS prediction & best player prop bet pick
Here's why I'm betting on Houston to cover the spread (-17.5) while targeting LJ Cryer Over 16.5 points as my best player prop bet pick for today:
✅ Houston to cover the spread (-17.5) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
When these two teams met in Colorado earlier this season, the Cougars won 69-59. The pesky Buffaloes hung around in that game longer than many expected, covering the 14.5-point spread. While they’re playing their best basketball of the season, today’s game is going to get ugly.
The Cougars have the top-scoring defense in the nation, allowing just 58.1 points per game. That makes them a tough matchup when you have fresh legs, let alone when you’re playing your third game in three days.

The Buffaloes will struggle to put points on the board in this one, as the relentless pressure of the Cougars’ defense should keep them well below their season average of 70.0 points.
All that said, even when the Cougars dominate, they don’t tend to win by 18 or more points. Only one of their last seven wins has been by double digits, and they haven’t beaten a team by more than 18 since January 22. Still, fatigue will play a major role for the Buffaloes in this uneven matchup.
📊 Best odds: -105 via BetMGM (bet $10 to win $9.52)
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🔥 LJ Cryer Over 17.5 points ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Cougars have one of the most well-balanced scoring attacks in the nation, with four players averaging double figures. However, Cryer has recently emerged as the team’s best scorer, scoring at least 20 points in four of his last five games.
Though the Cougars could win so comfortably that Cryer sees less playing time, with how he’s been playing, it’s safe to assume he can top this number in limited minutes. Cryer has knocked down 10 of his last 15 three-pointers, and the Buffaloes rank 185th in three-point defense.
Cryer has scored at least 14 points in 11 of his last 12 games after slowly starting the season. BetMGM offers the best price of our best sportsbooks.
📊 Best odds: -110 via BetMGM (bet $10 to win $9.09)
🎯 Expert Colorado vs. Houston score prediction
🔮 Expert score prediction: Houston 75, Colorado 52
This game has blowout written all over it. The Buffaloes have lost 13 games by double figures, losing by 20 or more twice. In the first meeting, they played well against the Cougars, but that was at home.
The Cougars' defense will be too much for the Buffaloes as they take advantage of tired legs and get one of their biggest wins of the season.
📊 Best odds: +18000 via DraftKings (bet $10 to win $1,800)
Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
📊 Live Colorado vs. Houston odds & latest betting splits
Here are the latest odds for Colorado vs. Houston, which update live in real time. You can also check out our NEW college basketball player prop odds tool for the latest college basketball odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your region.
🔢 Colorado vs. Houston opening odds
Here's a look at the opening odds for Colorado vs. Houston according to BetMGM.
- Spread: Colorado +17.5 (-110) | Houston -17.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Colorado +1000 | Houston -2000
- Over/Under: Over 127.5 (-110) | Under 127.5 (-110)
🏆 Who will win Colorado vs. Houston?
As of 8:40 a.m ET, Houston is favored by 17.5 points to beat Colorado with moneyline odds of -2000 at BetMGM, which suggests a 95.24% win probability. We're predicting a 75-52 win for Houston as our final score projection.
So far, 50% of bettors have wagered against the spread on Houston -17.5, while 50% expect the game to finish Over the projected total of 127.5 points.
📺 How to watch Colorado vs. Houston tonight
📅 Date: Thursday, March 13
🕗 Time: 3 p.m. ET
📍 Location: T-Mobile Center (Kansas, Mo.)
📺 TV: ESPN2
💻 Streaming: ESPN+
❓ Colorado vs. Houston FAQs
Who is favored to win the Big 12 Tournament?
The Houston Cougars are favored to win the Big 12 tournament.
Who is favored to win Colorado vs. Houston?
The Cougars’ moneyline is -2000, suggesting they have a greater than 95% chance of winning.
What are the betting odds for Colorado vs. Houston?
The latest spread is Colorado +17.5 (-115) | Houston +17.5 (-105), with a total of 127.5 points (-110).
What will be the final score of Colorado vs. Houston?
We're predicting a final score of Houston 75, Colorado 52.
What time is Colorado vs. Houston today?
Colorado vs. Houston will tip off today at 3 p.m. ET.
⛹️ Best college basketball betting sites
Looking to bet on college basketball tonight? Here are our best March Madness betting sites as determined by our expert team at Sportsbook Review, along with our best March Madness betting promos ahead of the NCAA Tournament.
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
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Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission

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