Jan 15, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars forward J’Wan Roberts (13) dribbles against West Virginia Mountaineers forward Amani Hansberry (13) in the first half at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images If you are waiting for the football season to end before starting preparations for this year’s March Madness—why? If you want to win your bracket pool this year, you need to start putting in some work studying teams. It’s also a great time to start building up your war chest with a few well-placed bets.
To that end, here are some of our best bets for college basketball action on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Oklahoma State at No. 6 Houston
Houston took Oklahoma State down 60-47 earlier in the season (favored by 11.5 points). So, if the Cougars could barely cover an 11.5-point spread the first time, why should we believe they can cover a 22.5-point spread this time?
The Cougars have the No. 1 defense in the country but just the 126th-ranked scoring offense, and it will be down one of its top scoring threats, Emanuel Sharp. However, Houston is going to be fired up and looking for blood after dropping its first conference game of the season over the weekend.
Oklahoma State is coming off a win over Utah, but the Utes can’t compare to the Cougars. Houston’s defense will shut down the Cowboys’ lackluster offense. Even though Houston is down one of its primary contributors on the scoring end, they will do enough on the offensive end to win with ease.
Will they cover? That’s hard to say; it’s a big spread. However, with Houston shutting down the Oklahoma State offense and Sharp on the bench, the score will not be high.
Under 132.5 points, -105 (BetMGM)
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Baylor at No. 13 Texas Tech
Both teams will be coming into this game on a roll and feeling good. Texas Tech handed Houston its first conference loss over the weekend in an 82-81 OT thriller. Baylor has won three of its last four, including an 11-point win over then-No. 11 Kansas.
However, as impressive as Baylor’s home win vs. Kansas was, the Bears have been struggling on the road this season (2-5 SU and 2-4-1 ATS). They’ll be facing one of the better offenses in the country on their home court, where the Red Raiders are 11-2 this season.
Texas Tech will win this game and will likely cover the spread in what we expect will be a high-scoring affair.
Texas Tech -7.5, -118 (BetMGM)
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No. 9 Michigan State at UCLA
The Spartans had won 13 in a row before falling to USC over the weekend, 70-64, their first conference loss of the season. UCLA’s win streak remains intact and extended to five in a row after the Bruins dominated a ranked Oregon team 78-52.
Michigan State is the more balanced team on paper, tied for 47th in the country in scoring offense and ranked No. 59 on defense. However, they do not have a primary scoring threat—just one player averages in double digits (Jaden Akins, 13.5 points per game).
UCLA’s five-game winning streak, which includes wins over two ranked opponents, combined with Michigan State’s recent road loss is likely why the Bruins are favored despite the Spartans being a vastly superior team on paper.
Michigan State’s defensive prowess has me thinking about taking the under (139.5, -105 via FanDuel) since neither are high-scoring teams, and the Spartans will keep UCLA’s offense in check. But this is a rare chance to get an excellent Michigan State team with plus-money odds to win.
Michigan State moneyline, +135 (Caesars)
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