Houston Cougars vs Kansas Jayhawks Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/25/2025

Game Time: 6:30 pm ET, Saturday, January 25, 2025

Venue:  Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Houston -2, Kansas +2; Over/Under:  128.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Houston -2, Kansas +2; Over/Under:  128.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Houston -2.5, Kansas +2.5; Over/Under:  128.5 points

Houston Cougars:  15-3 (7-0) (1st place, Big 12)

Kansas Jayhawks:  14-4 (5-2) (5th place, Big 12)

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Houston Cougars:  5-0  last 5

Kansas Jayhawks:  4-1  last 5

Houston is entering this game with a 15-3 record overall, a 7-0 record in conference games, and they are 3-0 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Utah Utes in their last game. Milos Uzan led the team in points per game in that game with 14 while LJ Cryer was next on the team with 13. Milos Uzan led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Mylik Wilson led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 43.3% from the field, 27.8% from 3-point range, and 68.4% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 75.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 53.9 PPG against them. Houston has an ATS record of 10-8 this season and their O/U record is 7-11.

Kansas is entering this game with a 14-4 record overall, a 5-2 conference record, and they are 9-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the TCU Horned Frogs in their last game. Hunter Dickinson led the team in points in that game with 16 while Zeke Mayo was next on the team with 13. Dajuan Harris Jr. led the team in assists with 7 in that game while Flory Bidunga led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 55.6% from the field, 35.3% from 3-point range, and 80% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 76.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 63.3 PPG against them. Kansas has an ATS record of 10-8 this season and their O/U record is 2-16.

The current betting odds have Kansas listed as a 2 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Kansas has looked really good in their games this season with their 14-4 record overall and their 5-2 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big 12. They have looked great on their home court too with their 9-1 home record this season. Meanwhile, Houston has looked great in their games this season with their 15-3 record overall and their 7-0 conference record which has them right at the top of the Big 12 and ranked as one of the best teams in the nation. They have been a great road team so far with their 3-0 road record too. They are coming off a huge win by double digits over Utah in their last one and they have a ton of momentum on their side with 11 wins in a row now, but they could be due for a loss here as they did struggle a lot in their last road game, coming away with the win but by just 1 point against UCF. Kansas took a tight loss at home to West Virginia which has been their only home loss this season, but they are going to bring their best effort for a team like Houston. Kansas has looked a lot better in their last 2 games with 2 wins by double digits and this is a great opportunity for them to make a statement by being the first team to beat Houston in conference play this season. Houston has looked great this season, but they were shaky in their last road game and are due for a loss. Kansas is the kind of team that can take down Houston in this home game. The best way to place a bet here is on Kansas to cover the spread in this game. 

Houston Kansas Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, January 25, 2025 (6:30 pm ET start time) is Kansas 78 Houston 75.

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Houston Cougars: 13-7 ATS versus good passing teams, averaging 16 assists/game or more. 26-18 ATS versus good shooting teams - making 45% of their shots or more. 19-11 ATS after the game where they allowed a shooting pct. of 33% or less. 12-6 UNDER versus up-tempo teams averaging 62 or more shots/game. 19-12 UNDER off a home blowout win by 20 points or more.

Kansas Jayhawks: 14-25 ATS vs. good free throw shooting teams - making 72% of their attempts or more. 20-28 ATS versus very good teams - outscoring their opponents by 8+ points/game. 3-6 1H ATS off a road win against a conference rival. 18-10 UNDER off a win against a conference rival. 30-19 UNDER versus very good teams - outscoring their opponents by 8+ points/game.

Houston Cougars:  E. Sharp (G) Questionable - Undisclosed. R. Walker (G) Out - Hand. J. McFarland (C) Out - Leg.

Kansas Jayhawks:  K. Adams (F) Questionable - Shoulder. Z. Clemence (F) Out - Groin. J. McDowell (G) Out - Redshirt. N. Shelby (G) Out - Undisclosed. E. Jackson (G) Out - Knee.

"There are only two things you can control in this lifetime: your attitude and your effort. We work so hard on making sure that body language, posture, being a good teammate, and understanding your role. Being part of something that's far more important than you are and playing for something far more important than you are. It's not easy. If it was, then everybody would do it." - Kelvin Sampson on his team this season. 

"Maybe this will be the first step. AJ was really good, he was terrific, and Shak was the best guard we had (Wednesday night). That was production that we haven't been getting consistently, so that was great to see." - Bill Self on his team this season.

L. Cryer 

J. Roberts 

E. Sharp 

J. Tugler 

M. Uzan

K. Adams 

H. Dickinson 

R. Griffen 

D. Harris 

Z. Mayo

PPG: L. Cryer (13.8)

APG: M. Uzan (4.8)

Reb/G: J. Roberts (6.5)

PPG: H. Dickinson (15.8)

APG: D. Harris (5.5)

Reb/G: H. Dickinson (10.2)

Coaches:

Houston Cougars: Kelvin Sampson (11th season)

Kansas Jayhawks: Bill Self (22nd season)