Arizona State Sun Devils vs Houston Cougars NCAAB Betting Pick & Prediction for 1/18

The Arizona State Sun Devils will take on the #7 Houston Cougars on Sunday, January 18, 2026. The game is set for 6:30 PM ET at the Fertitta Center in Houston, TX. This Big 12 conference game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Houston is favored with a spread of -16.5, while Arizona State comes in as the underdog with a spread of +16.5. The Sun Devils have a moneyline of +1075, compared to the Cougars’ moneyline of -2500. The over/under for the game is set at 145.5 points.

Arizona State Sun Devils vs Houston Cougars Game Day Info

  • Sport: College Basketball
  • Teams: Arizona State Sun Devils vs Houston Cougars
  • Venue: Fertitta Center, Houston TX
  • Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 6:30 PM ET
  • Betting Odds: Arizona State Spread +16.5 (-109), Houston Spread -16.5 (-112), Arizona State MoneyLine +1075, Houston MoneyLine -2500, Over/Under 145.5

Arizona State Sun Devils Team Preview

The Arizona State Sun Devils have had a challenging stretch in their recent games. They lost to Arizona Wildcats by 7 points with a score of 82-89. Moe Odum scored 23 points, but the team couldn’t secure a win.

In their game against Kansas State Wildcats, the Sun Devils won by 3 points, finishing with a score of 87-84. Massamba Diop led with 21 points and 9 rebounds, contributing to their victory. This win was a bright spot amid recent struggles.

The Sun Devils faced a tough loss against BYU Cougars, losing by 28 points, with a final score of 76-104. Despite the loss, Anthony Johnson scored 24 points and added 4 assists. Their overall record stands at 10-7, with a 1-3 record on the road this season.

Houston Cougars Team Preview

The Houston Cougars have a strong record this season, sitting at 16-1. They rank 7th in the AP poll and play in the Big 12 Conference. At home, they are 12-1, showing their dominance on their court.

The Cougars score 77.2 points per game, with a field goal percentage of 44.2%. Emanuel Sharp leads the team with an average of 15.9 points per game. Joseph Tugler contributes significantly with 8.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

Defensively, the Cougars average 8.8 steals and 3.8 blocks per game. Their recent games show consistent performance, winning their last three by an average margin. Against West Virginia, they won 77-48, displaying a solid defensive effort.

BTB Betting Pick

For the spread pick, Arizona State at +16.5 is recommended. Although Houston is favored, Arizona State scores 80.8 points per game, which is higher than Houston’s 77.2 points. Arizona State’s offense could help them cover the spread, even if they don’t win outright. The projected score is Houston 82, Arizona State 75, which is within the spread.

For the over/under pick, the under 145.5 is recommended. Houston plays a slower-paced game with 63.6 possessions per game. Arizona State averages 69.8 possessions, but Houston’s pace could lower the total points. The projected total score of 157 suggests the under is not likely to hit, but Houston’s control on pace and defense could keep it under 145.5.