The Houston Cougars take on the Auburn Tigers in Birmingham, AL. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Houston is favored by -6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -290. The total is set at 140.5 points.
Here’s my Houston vs. Auburn prediction and college basketball picks for November 16, 2025.
Houston vs Auburn Prediction
My Pick: Auburn +6.5
My Houston vs Auburn best bet is on the Tigers to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Houston vs. Auburn Odds
| Houston Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -105 | 139.5 -110o / -110u | -345 |
| Auburn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -115 | 139.5 -110o / -110u | +275 |
- Houston vs Auburn spread: Houston -8.5
- Houston vs Auburn over/under: 139.5 points
- Houston vs Auburn moneyline: Houston -345, Auburn +275
Houston vs Auburn College Basketball Betting Preview
Houston Basketball
In my opinion, Houston is the best team in the nation. However, its strength of schedule — Lehigh, Towson and Oakland — to start hasn't impressed me.
This Houston team relies heavily on a very formidable defense, as it currently ranks first in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency.
That's typical for Houston teams under Kelvin Sampson. The Cougars have improved offensively, currently good for 25th in adjusted efficiency, doing so through slow-and-steady play and getting good looks. They rank 360th in adjusted tempo, too.
The Cougars don't shoot well beyond the arc, but their offense is predicated on the interior. They also do a tremendous job getting multiple opportunities by grabbing offensive rebounds
This team has largely gone through the motions over the first three games, but starting on Sunday, the Cougars' schedule gets a little tougher. They face Auburn, Syracuse, Tennessee and Arkansas in the non-conference.
Auburn Basketball
It was quite a shock when Auburn went through a coaching change just a couple of months before the season was set to begin. But the Tigers went with someone in the program. Bruce Pearl retired, taking an ambassador role in the athletic department, and his son — Steven — was promoted to head coach.
Their first game against Bethune-Cookman was a five-point win that went to overtime, and then they followed that up with two games against Merrimack and Wofford.
All in all, Auburn has been unimpressive, as it's struggled to hold onto the basketball. The Tigers committed 18 turnovers in their first game, which almost cost them a win.
Auburn relies heavily on its starters, too, which could be a very big issue when it's facing an opponent with solid depth.
The Tigers' biggest weakness on defense is their ability to shut down the 3-ball. However, this game might help that cause because Houston doesn’t shoot the ball well.
Auburn will need to figure things out quickly because it has a loaded non-conference slate that starts with Houston. After Houston, the Tigers face Oregon, Michigan, NC State, Arizona and Purdue — all teams in the top 60, via KenPom.
Houston vs. Auburn Betting Analysis
At first glance, this might be an easy decision to lay with Houston, but I do think this isn't a great spot for the Cougars.
Auburn finds itself in a semi-home spot, in a situation in which nobody thinks it's going to be a true contender this season.
The Tigers will have a chance to prove their doubters wrong.
They also find themselves facing a team that may not be able to exploit their defensive weaknesses. They don’t guard the 3-ball well, but Houston doesn’t shoot it effectively from beyond the arc.
I'll be willing to take the spread at any number. I think Auburn gets to win outright, but ultimately, if you want to protect yourself, take the points
This is the ultimate buy-low spot on Auburn.
My Pick: Auburn +6.5
