The No. 4 Houston Cougars (18-2) and the Texas Longhorns (14-6) square off on Monday at 9 p.m. ET. The Cougars are 5-point favorites in the latest Houston vs. Texas odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 130.5 (see up-to-date odds for every game this week on our college basketball odds page). 

Before making any Houston vs. Texas picks, you need to check out the college basketball predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 12 of the 2023-24 season on a 114-73 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $2,000 for $100 players. It is also off to a sizzling 19-5 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen HUGE returns!

The model knows Houston senior guard L.J. Cryer is a pure shooter from the outside and has a knack for scoring off the dribble. Cryer is averaging a team-high 15.2 points and shoots 38% from downtown. On Jan. 23 against BYU, Cryer had 23 points, four boards, and made five 3-pointers. 

The model also knows Texas senior guard Max Abmas is an athletic scorer and playmaker. Abmas has the speed to get into the lane and owns good court vision to hit the open man. He leads the team in both points (17.6) and assists (4.3). On Jan. 13 versus West Virginia, Abmas totaled 32 points, three assists, and three steals.

Now, the model has set its sights on Houston vs. Texas. We can tell you the model is leaning Over on the point total, and it also says one side of the spread is the better value! 

Who wins Houston vs. Texas, and which side of the spread is the better value? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the spread you should be all over, all from that's on a 19-5 roll on top-rated college basketball picks!