A classic Lone Star State rivalry takes center stage in the Big 12 tonight when the Baylor Bears visit the Houston Cougars at the Fertitta Center.
Houston expects to have leading scorer L.J. Cryer on the floor tonight despite the senior guard suffering what is being dubbed a “serious knuckle injury.” However, my Baylor vs. Houston predictions don't expect much from the guard tonight.
Find out why in my college basketball picks for February 10.
Baylor vs Houston prediction
My best bet
L.J. Cryer Under 14.5 points (-125 at bet365)
My analysis
Cryer suffered a knuckle injury to his pinky finger on his right hand in the win over Colorado this weekend, playing through the pain for 32 minutes on Saturday.
At practice Sunday, he had an icepack wrapped around his shooting hand, and Sampson told reporters the injury was very painful. Despite that, Cryer is determined to suit up against the Bears and had this to say:
Oh yeah, I'm for sure playing. I'm not letting this hold me out. God willing, I'm going to finish the whole season. Ain't none of these little nagging injuries going to take me out.
Tonight’s spread sits at Houston -9, with Baylor missing some key pieces as well. Some prediction models call for an even bigger margin from the Cougars. If the game does open up, expect Sampson to protect his top talent and sit Cryer in the second half.
He’s averaging more than 14 points on the season and has posted scoring efforts of 22, 18, 17, and 15 in his last four games. That has his scoring prop for tonight parked at 14.5 points.
Player projections call for 15.5 points over 35 minutes from Cryer, but I’m hesitant to take the Over, knowing the impact of the injury and the game script leaning toward less action in the second half.
Even if Cryer logs 30 minutes, this scoring output drops just north of 13 points. And that’s if he doesn’t reaggravate the injury on his dominant hand — a tough area to avoid contact.
Overall, this will be a slow-paced, low-scoring game between two of the Big 12’s most methodical offenses. The game total sits at 135 points — one of the shorter numbers on Monday’s NCAA hoops board — so offense could be at a premium to begin with.
Baylor vs Houston same-game parlay (SGP)
L.J. Cryer Under 14.5 points
J’Wan Roberts 7+ rebounds
Robert Wright III 3+ assists
Cryer’s hand could impact his shooting and his minutes, so I’m being cautious about his scoring.
Roberts battles on the boards against a BU frontcourt missing 6-foot-10 rebounder Josh Ojianwuna after a season-ending injury this weekend.
The Bears’ freshman guard has dished out three or more assists in eight straight games as his playing time peaks.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Baylor vs Houston odds
Baylor vs Houston live odds
Baylor vs Houston opening odds
- Spread: Baylor +9 | Houston -9
- Moneyline: Baylor +325 | Houston -425
- Over/Under: Over 132 | Under 132
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Baylor vs Houston betting trend to know
Baylor has gone Over its team total in just six of its last 17 away games (-6.91 Units / -35% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Baylor vs. Houston.
How to watch Baylor vs Houston
| Location | Fertitta Center, Houston, TX |
| Date | Monday, 2-10-2025 |
| Tip-off | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Baylor vs Houston key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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