Houston Cougars vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

The Houston Cougars (19-2) travel to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats (15-6) in an American Athletic Conference matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio and can be viewed on ESPN 2. 

SCORE PREDICTION

Houston 70, Cincinnati 67

BEST BETS

Cincinnati +7 (-110) at WynnBet

HOUSTON COUGARS VS. CINCINNATI BEARCATS PREDICTIONS

The sixth ranked Houston Cougars have now won 11 straight games after defeating the Tulane Green Wave, 73-62 this past Wednesday. Houston has lost just two games on the season, a two-point loss to Wisconsin and a one-point loss to ninth ranked Alabama. The Cougars are a perfect 8-0 in American Athletic Conference play and are 4-1 on the road this season. Houston will look to continue its dominance on Sunday as they have their eyes set on a potential one seed in the NCAA Tournament. 

The Cincinnati Bearcats had their most recent game against Memphis postponed due to icy conditions in Cincinnati. The last time the Bearcats have seen the floor was on January 30th, a road game against East Carolina in which Cincinnati won, 60-59. The Bearcats will have their work cut out for them on both sides of the ball, as Houston ranks second in the nation in scoring defense and have five players averaging over 10 PPG. Cincinnati is currently 5-3 in AAC play and are three games behind Houston for first place. 

The first meeting between these teams was scheduled for December 28th but was canceled due to lack of players available because of COVID-19. This means the last time these two teams met was February of 2021, a game Houston dominated Cincinnati, winning 90-52. I do think Houston is the better basketball team in this matchup, but I also think UC keeps it close enough to cover. 

HOUSTON COUGARS VS. CINCINNATI BEARCATS BETTING ODDS

• Houston -320
• Cincinnati +260
• Houston -7 (-110)
• Cincinnati +7 (-110)
• Over 131.5 (-110)
• Under 131.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

HOUSTON COUGARS VS. CINCINNATI BEARCATS BETTING RESOURCES

• Matchup: AAC
• Date: Sunday, February 6, 2022
• Venue: Fifth Third Arena
• Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
• TV-Time: ESPN2 - 6:00 p.m. ET

• Injury Report
• Wooden Award Odds
• Conference Futures Market
• Power Rankings

HOUSTON COUGARS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 19-2
• ATS: 13-8
• O/U: 10-11

The Houston Cougars have been kind to bettors on the season with a 13-8 ATS record and have gone 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games. The total has gone under in 11 of Houston’s 21 games played but has gone over in seven of the last ten when playing an American Athletic Conference opponent. Houston is 8-1 ATS in their last nine games against Cincinnati, but have struggled when playing the Bearcats on the road with a 1-10 SU record in their last 11 road matchups against Cincinnati. 

While the Houston Cougars are a defensive powerhouse, the offensive has also played well on the season. Entering Sunday's matchup, the Cougars are averaging 76.8 PPG (60th), 16 APG (33rd), 46.5 FG% (62nd), 34.9 3PT % (123rd), and 39 RPG (56th). The offense is led by junior guard, Marcus Sasser, who is averaging 17.7 PPG, 2.6 APG, and shooting 43.7% from the field. Sasser may be the main focus of the offense, but the rest of the team definitely gets involved with five players averaging over 10 PPG. 

The Cougars have been one of the top defenses in the country this season. Coming into Sunday’s game against Cincinnati they are allowing 56.5 PPG (2nd), 8.6 SPG (33rd), 5.5 BPG (16th), 36.1 FG% (1st), and 28.2 3PT% (13th). Houston ranks better than Cincinnati in all major categories, but cannot let up against a conference opponent that they have struggled on the road against in the past. 

CINCINNATI BEARCATS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 15-6
• ATS: 8-11-1
• O/U: 7-13

Cincinnati has found ways to win but have struggled to cover on the year with an 8-11-1 ATS record. In their last 15 games they are just 4-10-1 ATS. The total has gone over just seven times this season for the Bearcats. However, in their last 18 conference games, the total has gone over 12 times. The Bearcats have seen success against Houston when playing at home with a 10-1 SU record in their last 11 matchups against the Cougars. 

The Bearcats offense has given the team a respectable record but will need to improve if they hope to sneak into the NCAA Tournament. On the season they are averaging 70.8 PPG (193rd), 14.1 APG (115th), 41.5 FG% (295th), 31.9 3PT% (261st), and 38.6 RPG (85th). The offense is led by junior guard, Jeremiah Davenport. Davenport is averaging 13.4 PPG, 5 RPG, and shooting 40% from the field. Not only will Davenport need to have a big game, but the rest of the team will need to step it up as just two players are averaging over 10 PPG. 

Cincinnati’s defense has been a big factor in the success they have seen this season. Entering Sunday’s matchup, they are allowing 62.5 PPG (31st), 6.3 SPG (213th), 4.6 BPG (46th), 37.2 FG% (7th), and 30.4 3PT% (52nd). If Cincinnati is able to win this game it will be thanks to the defense. 

INSIDE THE STATS - HOUSTON COUGARS

• Record: 19-2
• VI Ranking: 4
• PS/G: 76.8 (60th)
• PA/G: 56.5 (2nd)
• ORtg: 115.7 (5th)
• DRtg: 85.2 (3rd)

INSIDE THE STATS - CINCINNATI BEARCATS

• Record: 15-6
• VI Ranking: 80
• PS/G: 70.8 (193rd)
• PA/G: 62.5 (31st)
• ORtg: 102.6 (179th)
• DRtg: 90.5 (27th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

• UH: Kyler Edwards- G (14.2 ppg, 6 rpg)
• UH: Marcus Sasser - G (17.7 ppg)
• CIN: David Dejulius - G (13.4 ppg)
• CIN: Jeremiah Davenport - G (13.4 ppg, 5 rpg)

HOUSTON COUGARS VS. CINCINNATI BEARCATS BETTING CONCLUSION

This game should be competitive throughout. If Cincinnati can kick it up a notch on offense, we could see the finish come down to the final seconds. The Bearcats are a bit outmatched, no question about it, but with the way the defense has played and Houston struggling in the past in Cincinnati, this game should be closer than most may think. Backing the Bearcats to cover in this one. 

With a combined 18-22-1 O/U record, the trend points towards the under. However, the two teams total have gone over a combined 19 of the last 28 conference games played. I would have to lean towards the over, but will probably stay away just because both of these teams thrive on their defense. 

HOUSTON COUGARS VS. CINCINNATI BEARCATS BETTING TRENDS

• Houston has won 11 straight games.
• Houston has covered the spread in three of its last four games.
• Cincinnati has failed to cover the spread in two straight games.
• Cincinnati has gone UNDER the point total in three of its last four games.

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson