No. 8 Houston and No. 14 Arkansas meet in an old Southwest Conference battle that will take place just outside of New York City in the Never Forget Tribute Classic.
Both teams are riding four-game winning streaks and have played some of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation.
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My Houston vs. Arkansas predictions and college basketball picks look for the Cougars to cover in what promises to be a physical affair on Saturday, December 20.
Houston vs Arkansas prediction
Houston vs Arkansas best bet: Houston -4.5 (-105)
The Houston Cougars have been blowing people out lately. Houston has won its last three ATS, with a 15-point win over Florida State and a pair of 40-plus point wins over two smaller conference schools.
The Cougars have a suffocating defense. That, and Houston’s advantage on the boards, should be the difference in the game.
Houston has the No. 23 offensive rebounding rate in the country. The Arkansas Razorbacks rank 137th in offensive rebound rate and 191st in defensive rebounding rate.
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In their two losses this season, the Razorbacks allowed Duke and Michigan State to each grab more than 38% of their own misses, and in the last game, Queens University had a 41% rate.
Four of Arkansas’ last five opponents have hit at least 55% of their 2-point shots. Houston has hit its 2-pointers at a 57.4% rate over the last three games and has the No. 17 2-point defense in the country.
Look for the Cougars to lean on size and athleticism inside. Arkansas has some bigs and some rebounders, but everyone on the Houston team will be hitting the boards hard, which will wear the Razorbacks down.
Houston vs Arkansas same-game parlay
Before looking at Over/Under history for the two teams, consider the cutoff.
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This will be the lowest total Arkansas has seen this season. In their last 10 games, the Razorbacks have had five cutoffs in the 160s, and all 10 were Over 155. Houston plays at a slow pace and has an elite defense, but the Cougars have gone Over in four of five vs. major conference foes,
The Cougars have led at the half in every game this season, so let’s add their small first-half spread to round out the SGP.
Houston vs Arkansas SGP
Our beyond the arc SGP: Razorbacks won’t go quietly
Arkansas hasn’t scored less than 34 points in a first half this season and has only turned in a team total below that in one second half.
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Houston vs Arkansas SGP
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Arkansas team total Over 33.5 1H
Houston vs Arkansas odds
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Spread: Houston -4.5 | Arkansas +4.5
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Moneyline: Houston -260 | Arkansas +205
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Over/Under: Over 146.5 | Under 146.5
Houston vs Arkansas betting trend to know
Arkansas has hit the 1H Over in 21 of their last 36 games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Houston vs. Arkansas.
How to watch Houston vs Arkansas
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Location |
Prudential Center, Newark, NJ |
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Date |
Saturday, December 20, 2025 |
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Tip-off |
5:30 p.m. ET |
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TV |
CBS |
Houston vs Arkansas key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
