The No. 3 Houston Cougars (13-0) make their Big 12 debut against the West Virginia Mountaineers (5-8) Saturday. Tip-off from Fertitta Center is set for 2 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let's analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the'West Virginia vs. Houston odds'as we make our expert'college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
West Virginia wrapped up its non-conference schedule with a 78-75 loss at the Ohio State Buckeyes last Saturday. It failed to cover as a 9-point favorite, and the Over (146) hit. Montana State transfer G RaeQuan Battle led the Mountaineers with 24 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. They will have to step up their game offensively to have any chance against the nation’s top-rated defense.
Houston, which is No. 3 in the , plays its 1st Big 12 game Saturday after exiting the American Athletic Conference. The Cougars concluded their non-conference schedule undefeated with a resounding 81-42 victory over the Pennsylvania Quakers last Saturday. They covered the spread as a 27-point home favorite, and the game went Under (134). Four Cougars starters scored in double figures, led by senior G L.J. Cryer‘s 16 points. Houston is the only team in the country holding its opponents to under 50 points per game.
These teams have never met on the basketball court.