The Colorado Buffaloes aim for their third consecutive upset as they face the Houston Cougars this afternoon.
Although my Colorado vs. Houston predictions ultimately see no path to that outcome, the Buffaloes may keep this closer than expected.
Find out more in my college basketball picks for Thursday, March 13.
Colorado vs Houston prediction
Who will win Colorado vs Houston?
Don't get it twisted; Houston will win.
The Cougars have lost just once since the start of December — a one-point defeat to Texas Tech in overtime. Their only loss this season to a team outside Ken Pomeroy’s Top 10 also came in OT against San Diego State.
For context, Pomeroy currently sees the Aztecs as nearly eight points better than Colorado.
My best bet: Colorado 1H +10.5 (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
Colorado had no business winning on Wednesday. It trailed by seven entering the final 10 minutes of the game, having scored just 14 points in the first half of the second half. The Buffaloes then poured in 30 points in the final 10 minutes to pull out a seven-point win. West Virginia should be embarrassed by giving up a 15-0 run to a team that had not scored 15 points in any of the first three 10-minute segments of the game.
And that is not solely because the Mountaineers doing so cost yours truly a handful of bets.
It was an abdication of defense, one that Houston will not commit, not with the best defense in the Big 12 and the No. 2 defense in the country ranking behind only Tennessee’s.
But Colorado found that momentary offense, and if any momentum whatsoever carries forward, the Buffaloes should stay within range of the Cougars in the first half. Colorado is about to play its third game in the T-Mobile Center this week while Houston makes its debut. That should not provide a massive advantage, but it does add to the Buffaloes’ sense of urgency, a comfort level in the confines that the Cougars may take a minute or two to find.
These two teams met just more than a month ago, a casual 10-point Houston win that was only a four-point game at halftime. That kind of “casual” description can apply to a lot of the Cougars’ last few months. They have not been oft-tested.
In the last two months, Houston has gone 2-6 against the spread as a double-digit favorite, though winning each game. Usually, the Cougars ease up late, but in a midafternoon game after five days off, it is more likely they take some time to get going today.
Colorado vs Houston same-game parlay (SGP)
Colorado 1H +10.5
Colorado team total Under 54.5
1H Under 59.5
This same-game parlay is somehow both logical and counterintuitive. Combining Colorado’s team total Under 54.5 with a first half Under 59.5 is obvious; one helps the other. Mixing Colorado’s team total Under 54.5 with Colorado covering the first half spread of +10.5 is counterintuitive, the latter arguing against the former.
However, all aspects suggest Houston will start the game slowly before showing its true defensive ferocity. Finding three legs that can fit together with that one thought provides value at +475.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Colorado vs Houston odds
Colorado vs Houston live odds
Colorado vs Houston opening odds
- Spread: Colorado +17.5 | Houston -17.5
- Moneyline: Colorado +1000 | Houston -2000
- Over/Under: Over 127 | Under 127
Odds courtesy of bet365
Colorado vs Houston betting trend to know
The Cougars went 1-3-1 ATS in the last three weeks, four of those games also cashing their Unders. Find more college basketball betting trends for Colorado vs. Houston.
How to watch Colorado vs Houston
| Location | T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO |
| Date | Thursday, 3-13-2025 |
| Tip-off | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN2 |
Colorado vs Houston key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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