One of the best college basketball games of the weekend sees the Auburn Tigers travel to Houston to take on the Cougars.

The Tigers made news Friday night when the team plane had to turn around due to “ruckus,” but there was no word of punishment or suspension. Either way, my Auburn vs. Houston predictions expect the Tigers to have their hands full against a Cougars team that defends as well as anyone in the country.

Let’s move on to my last one college basketball picks for Saturday November 9.

Auburn vs. Houston Prediction

My best bet
Houston -5.5 (-105 on bet365)

My analysis

Houston returns four starters from one of the best teams in the country a season ago, and LJ Cryer is a contender for national player of the year. Milos Uzan also transferred from Oklahoma, and his debut excited Cougar fans as he nearly had a triple-double in the blowout win over Jackson State.

Cryer, Uzan and the rest of Houston’s defense will provide an early test for a rebuild Auburn rear area. The Tigers saw their season end disappointingly in March due to inconsistencies in the backcourt, which put far too much pressure on Johni Broome to carry the team. It reared its ugly head in the Round of 16 loss to Yale, as the Tigers shot just 7 of 20 from downtown and turned the ball over 14 times.

Auburn thrives under Bruce Pearl by getting out in transition and scoring easy buckets, but this is one area where Houston does a good job of denying opportunities. They also have the length and size to not only give Auburn problems on the glass, but also make Broome uncomfortable. He’s likely to be matched up against JoJo Tugler at times, whose 7-foot-6 wingspan will be able to slow down Broome no matter where he sets up.

In the first game against Vermont, Pearl started Broome at power forward. It was a move intended to get him away from the constant double teams he saw a season ago and show off the outside game he spent the summer working on. It worked as he connected on two of his five 3-point attempts.

But besides the fact that Auburn played, one thing that stood out was their lack of assists. Freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford came off the bench to drop four dimes in 19 minutes, but he was the only player with more than two assists.

Houston will limit Auburn’s second chance opportunities, and the return of Ja’Vier Francis from injury gives the Cougars plenty of depth in what should be a physical game that could have a close call. Although it’s technically a “neutral court” game, it’s being played in Houston and Cougar fans will fill the building.

Kelvin Sampson is exceptional at limiting the damage the other team’s main player can cause, and it’s possible some players could be benched for Auburn following last night’s incident. Regardless, Houston has the better team, the more favorable matchup, and the better backcourt.

I will take them to win by six points or more.

Parlay Auburn vs Houston in the same game

Houston -5.5

Auburn team total below 68.5

Auburn 1H Team Total Under 31.5

Auburn had an easy time against Vermont as it forced 16 turnovers, but that won’t be the case here.

The Tigers are going to be forced to operate in the half court, and as good as Pettiford gets, it would be tough to ask him to step into that environment and break down a defense as good as Houston’s. Additionally, Houston’s length of perimeter will allow all screens to turn on, making the half-court battle even more difficult.

That means players like Pegues are going to be tasked with doing what so many guards failed to do last season, and I don’t see him succeeding. Broome will do what he can, but Houston will force turnovers in this game and limit Auburn to just one opportunity per possession.

Houston stifled Jackson State in its opener, holding the Tigers to just 13 points before the break. While I don’t expect Auburn to struggle that much, I also don’t see this turning into a shootout.

My guess is Auburn scores fewer than 32 points before halftime while failing to reach 69 points at the end of regulation — a mark only six teams reached last year, two of which needed overtime.

Learn how to bet on the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Auburn vs. Houston Odds

Auburn vs. Houston live odds

Auburn vs. Houston Opening Odds

• Spread: Auburn +4.5 | Houston -4.5
• Money line: Auburn +165 | Houston-200
• More/Less: Over 143.5 | Less than 143.5

Chances courtesy of bet365

Auburn vs Houston betting trend to know

The Cougars have covered the 1H spread in 23 of their last 37 games (+9.30 units / 22% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Auburn vs. Houston.

How to watch Auburn vs. Houston

Auburn’s key injuries vs. Houston

Pages related to this topic