The No. 2 Houston Cougars (3-0) and No. 25 Auburn Tigers (3-0) meet Sunday in a top-25 battle from Legacy Arena at BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama. Tip-off in The Battleground 2k25 is set for 3 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Houston vs. Auburn odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
The Tigers throttled the Wofford Terriers 93-62 Tuesday, covering as a 27.5-point home favorite after dropping 53 points in the second half as the Over (152) hit. F Keyshawn Hall continued his torrid start to the season, scoring 20 points and hauling down 11 boards. He has tallied at least 20 in all 3 contests. Auburn is 2-1 against the spread (ATS) and has yet to play a game with a sub-20-point spread.
The Cougars, one of the popular preseason champion picks, dominated the Oakland Golden Grizzlies 78-45 Wednesday, covering for the first time this season as a 30.5-point favorite as the Under (138) cashed. The Houston grit and defense have really been the star of the show as all 3 opponents have scored fewer than 60 points and 2 didn’t even hit 50. The Cougars are 1-2 ATS.
Auburn beat Houston 74-69 last season, covering as a 5.5-point road underdog as the Over (141.5) hit.
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Houston at Auburn odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 10:43 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Houston -275 (bet $275 to win $100) | Auburn +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
- Against the spread (ATS): Houston -6.5 (-105) | Auburn +6.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 138.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Houston at Auburn picks and predictionsPrediction
Houston 71, Auburn 61
PASS.
Houston (-275) should win with ease, but it is far too expensive to take here.
BET HOUSTON -6.5 (-105).
Kelvin Sampson’s team prides itself on defense, and it has several talented freshmen and a handful of key returning players. G Milos Uzan and G Emanuel Sharp both returned from a season ago and that continuity matters. Houston is allowing just 50 points per game (PPG).
While Auburn has played well, it hasn’t been challenged. Hall has been with 4 teams in 4 seasos and should struggle against an experienced Houston side. The Tigers are allowing 69.7 PPG, but have been a favorite of 24 or more points in all 3 contests.
Take the more veteran side and back HOUSTON -6.5 (-105).
BET UNDER 138.5 (-110).
Houston is 0-3 O/U and Auburn is 3-0 O/U. The Cougars play at a snail’s pace, ranking 359th in adjusted tempo per KenPom, and they should be the more dominant side in this one. They went 16-23-1 O/U a season ago.
Of note, the Tigers have a quality defense as well, allowing more than 62 points in just one of their first 3 games. Both teams may be more inefficient in their first real challenge.
Back UNDER 138.5 (-110).
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