The Houston Cougars (26-5) take the court for the first time in the Big 12 Tournament in Thursday’s quarterfinals. Houston is listed as an 8.5-point favorite on the spread against the BYU Cougars (23-10) at 7:00 p.m. ET.
BYU seeks its third win in three days after defeating Kansas State (105-91) and West Virginia (68-48) in the opening two rounds. Houston finished as the second seed in the conference with a 14-4 mark in league play.
Let’s look at a BYU vs. Houston spread prediction for Thursday’s battle at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, televised on ESPN2. Make your college basketball picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money if you’re right, including on game winners, spreads, and totals!
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BYU vs. Houston Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
Since both these teams joined the Big 12 in 2023, Houston has owned BYU with four consecutive victories.
Each of the last three wins for head coach Kelvin Sampson’s team came by double digits, including a 77-66 triumph in Provo on February 7.
In that clash, BYU shot 40% from the floor and converted only 16 of 28 free throw attempts. Star freshman AJ Dybantsa scored 28 points for BYU, but only one other player posted double figures.
BYU vs. Houston Spread, Over/Under
Houston enters this matchup as 8.5-point favorites, returning a 1.23x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
BYU are underdogs with a 3.44x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can earn money with your picks in 35 states.
- Spread: Houston Cougars -8.5
- Over/Under: 144.5
- Game Winner Payout: BYU 3.44x | Houston 1.23x
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
BYU vs. Houston Prediction on Spread – 3/12/26
Here are some key stats to know before locking in your BYU vs. Houston prediction on spread for Thursday, March 12 on PrizePicks.
- Houston closed the season on a 1-7 against the spread (ATS) slump. The Cougars failed to cover the number in their final four road games.
- BYU suffered through a 3-12 ATS run before covering each of the past three contests.
- In seven underdog opportunities, BYU covered twice and won outright once against Iowa State, 79-69, on February 21.
- Houston ranks first in Big 12 play in offensive efficiency and second in defensive efficiency.
- From a turnover standpoint, Houston owns the lowest turnover percentage in league action (11.8%) and forces the second-highest turnover rate (19.7%).
- BYU’s conference defense numbers aren’t appealing, sitting 14th in defensive efficiency and 15th in 3-point percentage (37.9%).
- BYU finished tied with Arizona for the top 2-point shooting percentage in Big 12 play at 54.3%.
- In Tuesday’s opening round win over Kansas State, BYU hit a scorching 70.7% on 2-point tries. Last night against West Virginia, the Cougars were held to 51.2% shooting inside the arc.
- Houston eliminated BYU from last season’s Big 12 Tournament semifinals, 74-54.
- Since joining the league, Houston is 5-1 in the Big 12 Tournament, with the lone loss coming to Iowa State in the 2024 championship.
Make BYU vs. #5 Houston Picks on PrizePicks
The battle of Cougars takes place in Kansas City tonight with a spot in the semifinals on the line. Can BYU pick up its third win in three days, or will they get knocked out by second-seeded Houston?
You can make your BYU vs. Houston picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states.
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