Oklahoma State vs Houston Prediction 12-30-24 College Basketball Picks

The Houston Cougars and the Oklahoma State Cowboys meet Monday in college basketball action from Gallagher-Iba Arena. Here’s an Oklahoma State vs Houston prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Oklahoma State vs Houston pick.

Houston Cougars Betting Preview

Houston went just 4-3 in their first seven games this year, losing to Auburn, Alabama, and San Diego State. The Cougars have won four straight since then though, beating Butler, Troy, Toledo, and Texas A&M-CC.

Matched up against the Islanders on December 21, the Cougars held a 46-27 edge in the locker room. Houston rolled on a 41-24 stretch from there to win 87-51. Emanuel Sharp led the team with 18 points and two assists.

Oklahoma State Cowboys Betting Preview

Over on the Oklahoma State side, they went 6-2 over their first eight with wins over Green Bay, St. Thomas-MN, Southern Illinois, Miami, Tulsa, and Seton Hall. After a loss to Oklahoma, the Cowboys beat Tarleton State and Oral Roberts in the next pair.

In the Oral Roberts matchup last Sunday, the Cowboys came out of the beak with a 38-31 lead. Oklahoma State scored another 48 points in an 86-74 victory. Abou Ousmane led the team with 19 points with seven rebounds in the win. After this game, Oklahoma State will take on West Virginia and Kansas State. 

Why the Oklahoma State Cowboys will win

• Oklahoma State has won each of its last five games at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
• Oklahoma State has won the first half in eight of its last 10 games at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Why the Houston Cougars will win

• Oklahoma State has lost each of its last 18 night games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Houston has won each of its last 13 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Houston has won the first half in each of its last 12 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Oklahoma State vs Houston Prediction

I’ll lean toward Oklahoma State, but you could easily make a case the other way. We should have a fun matchup here, even if it’s a bit of a mismatch on paper. The Cowboys dispatched Oral Roberts pretty easily in their last game with 48.1 percent shooting and a 44-20 rebounding edge. Oklahoma State did commit 15 turnovers and didn’t shoot great from outside (21.4 percent), however. It was a nice return to scoring form after a tepid 131 points across the Cowboys’ previous two games.

As for Houston, they held Texas A&M-CC to just 32.1 percent shooting in their last game. During this four-game win streak, the Cougars have given up fewer than 52 points in each outing. Oklahoma State is really going to have to work the scoreboard Monday and take points where they come, but I think the Cowboys have a decent shot at staying reasonably close.