🏀 Kansas vs. Houston Prediction: Big 12 Odds & Picks (March 13)
My Kansas vs. Houston prediction for tonight's 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) game at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., focuses on the defensive nature of each of these programs. No. 5 Houston is a 5.5-point betting favorite despite losing to No. 14 Kansas earlier this season.
Below, I highlight why I expect Houston to get revenge in a low-scoring game, thanks in large part to the offensive performance of Kingston Flemings. Our college basketball conference tournament guide provides all the info you need ahead of Selection Sunday.
🏀 Kansas vs. Houston picks & odds: Big 12 (March 13)
See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.
| Pick | Best odds | Units | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston -5.5 | -110 via DraftKings | 1u -> 0.91u | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Under 136.5 | -115 via DraftKings | 2u -> 1.82u | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Kingston Flemings Over 16.5 points | -110 via FanDuel | 1.5u -> 1.36u | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Total wagered: 4.5 units | Max profit: 4.09 units
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💰 Kansas vs. Houston prediction & best bet
Follow all of our college basketball analysis and expert predictions this season.
Under 136.5 (-115)
In the first meeting between these two, Kansas won 69-56, for a combined total of just 125 points. Houston, which generally shoots 45% from the field, only managed to make 32% of its field goals in that game. I expect a much better shooting night from the Cougars, but I still like this Under.
The main reason is how good the Houston defense has been this season. Houston is allowing just 62.8 points per game. And while Kansas is averaging 76.5 points per contest, the Jayhawks have been held below 70 points in three of their last four games.
Score prediction: Houston 68, Kansas 61
🔥 Best Kansas vs. Houston player prop bet
Our Mike Spector features more plays worth tailing in his college basketball predictions tonight.
Kingston Flemings Over 16.5 points (-110)
Flemings only scored 16 in his first meeting with Kansas, and considering he's averaging 16.5 points per game, it may seem counterintuitive to take this Over right at his season average. However, Flemings has scored at least 16 points in all nine of Houston's games against ranked opponents this season.
Additionally, Flemings managed 16 against Kansas despite shooting only 33.3% from the field. He's shooting 48.3% from the field this season. Though Kansas ranks third in field goal percentage allowed, I doubt they dominate defensively as they did in the first game against this good of an offense.
Flemings is only averaging 0.8 more points per game than Emanuel Sharp. However, Sharp has struggled of late, and he went just 1-of-9 from the floor yesterday against BYU. Flemings already takes over against the best teams, and with Houston's second-leading scorer in a slump, that will be amplified.
🚀 Kansas vs. Houston same-game parlay
If Houston is going to get revenge against Kansas, Flemings is going to be the guy offensively to lead them to the Big 12 final. But at the end of the day, these are two of the best defensive teams in the country, with each ranking in the top 20 in opponent field goal percentage. Even if one team does well offensively, there's really no situation where both score enough to hit this Over. FanDuel is offering the best odds for Flemings right now, but I hope that the price for the Under drops before tipoff.
💵 Kansas vs. Houston SGP picks
- Houston -5.5
- Under 136.5
- Kingston Flemings Over 16.5 points
Best odds: +497 via FanDuel (1u -> 4.97u)
💡 How I'm betting Kansas vs. Houston
I love the Under in this game, not just because of the previous meeting between these two teams, but also because defensively, they've both been fantastic all season. However, I'm only willing to risk two units instead of three because both teams average over 76 points per game. Due to the recent struggles of Sharp, I fully expect Flemings to be the key piece of the Houston offense, but I'm only risking 1.5 units with his total set right at his season average on the back end of a back-to-back. As for Houston -5.5, I'm wagering one unit simply because I think the Cougars are the better team.
📊 Live Kansas vs. Houston odds: Big 12
Houston opened as a 4.5-point favorite, but the spread has grown to 5.5. I expect this number to drop back to 5 or 4.5 before tipoff because Kansas won the first meeting between these two. The total opened at 135.5, but it climbed to 136.5. This feels like a massive overreaction to yesterday's games. These defenses are going to make every bucket difficult, something I expect bettors to realize before tipoff. Get in before this number drops.
📈 Kansas vs. Houston betting trends
| Kansas | Statistic | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 23-9 | W-L record | 27-5 |
| 20-12 | ATS record | 15-17 |
| 11-21 | O/U record | 13-19 |
| 3-2 | Last 5 games | 4-1 |
📺 How to watch Kansas vs. Houston: Big 12
- Date: Friday, March 13
- Tipoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Location: T-Mobile Center (Kansas City, Mo.)
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+
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