Baylor (15-8) at Houston (19-4)
- When: Feb 10 2025, 9:00 PM
- Where: Fertitta Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Where to watch: ESPN
Game Preview
The fifth-ranked Houston Cougars continue to prove that results matter more than aesthetics, relying on their signature gritty play to extend their Big 12 dominance. On Monday night, they’ll look to maintain their lead atop the conference standings as they host the Baylor Bears, who enter the matchup dealing with a key injury concern.
Houston Cougars
The Cougars (19-4, 11-1 Big 12) bounced back from their rare home loss to Texas Tech with two straight victories, though neither came easy. Most recently, they held off a winless-in-conference Colorado team, grinding out a 69-59 win thanks to their relentless offensive rebounding and physicality. Houston turned 15 offensive boards into a +10 margin in shot attempts—an approach that has been their trademark under head coach Kelvin Sampson.
“It’s a big part of our formula—getting more shot attempts than the other team,” Sampson said. “On nights we shoot well, we look great. On nights we don’t, we still win.”
Houston’s offense has been inconsistent since their double-overtime thriller at Kansas on Jan. 25, but they continue to find ways to win. J’Wan Roberts had a team-high 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting against Colorado, while leading scorers L.J. Cryer (14.3 PPG), Emanuel Sharp (12.5 PPG), and Roberts (11.8 PPG) will be expected to set the tone once again.
The Cougars rank among the nation’s best defensive teams, allowing just 56.6 points per game (2nd in the NCAA) while holding opponents to 37.4% shooting. They also lead the Big 12 in rebounding margin, a factor that could be crucial against a shorthanded Baylor frontcourt.
Baylor Bears
Baylor (15-8, 7-5 Big 12) picked up a 91-76 victory over UCF on Saturday, getting a boost from Langston Love’s return after a lengthy absence. Love contributed 16 points in his first action since Dec. 31, but the win was overshadowed by the early departure of Josh Ojianwuna, who left with a knee injury. The 6-foot-10 forward, averaging 7.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, is a critical piece for Baylor’s interior presence, and his absence will be felt against Houston’s aggressive rebounding unit.
“Obviously, it’s frustrating,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “We finally got eight guys together, then we lose Josh. If he’s out for the year, someone else will have to step up.”
The Bears have been inconsistent in conference play, struggling to establish defensive consistency. They allow 71.8 points per game (10th in the Big 12) and rank 16th in the conference in 3-point defense, a weakness Houston’s sharpshooters could exploit. Norchad Omier (15.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG) continues to anchor the offense, posting a double-double against UCF.
Betting Prediction & Props
Spread Lean: Houston -9.0 – The Cougars’ elite defense and rebounding should overpower a Baylor team likely missing a key big man.
Total Play: Under 131.5 – Houston slows the pace and dictates low-scoring games, while Baylor has struggled offensively in tough road matchups.
Prop Bets to Watch:
J’Wan Roberts Over 14.5 Points → With Baylor lacking frontcourt depth, Roberts should dominate inside.
Houston First Half -4.5 → The Cougars have been strong out of the gate in home conference games.
Houston’s combination of defense, rebounding, and physical play makes them a tough matchup for a Baylor team missing one of its key frontcourt pieces. Expect the Cougars to control the game and secure another convincing conference win.
- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
