The Texas Longhorns (16-8) will battle against the third-ranked Houston Cougars (21-3) for a Big 12 showdown on Saturday, February 17 at 1:00 PM ET at the Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas. The Cougars are moderate favorites to succeed at home, with a point spread at -10.5 (-110).

The Longhorns have gone 2-3 over their previous five matchups and have some solid momentum heading into this one. Their most recent battle was a 94-58 blowout win over the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Guard play will be huge here, as Max Abas leads the Longhorns with 17.7 points per game. He is also shooting 44.4 percent from the field and is an excellent 90.8 percent from the foul line.

The Longhorns maintain a steady scoring average of 76.8 points per game, boasting a 48.0 percent success rate in field goals, which highlights their cohesive teamwork evident in an average of 16.2 assists per game and ample scoring opportunities.

Defensively, they limit opponents to 67.8 points, resulting in a favorable point differential. Key defensive statistics include 35.2 rebounds, 4.9 blocks, and 6.9 steals per game.

The Cougars have gone 4-1 in their last five games and are looking to maintain their dominance. They are currently on a two-game win streak, with their most recent success being a 67-62 outing over the Cincinnati Bearcats.

L.J. Cryer leads the team's offense, averaging 14.8 points per game while maintaining a 39.4 percent field goal accuracy and an 86.4 percent success rate in foul shots. His early influence can tilt the game in their favor.

The Cougars consistently score an average of 73.6 points with an impressive 43.3 percent shooting accuracy. To enhance their offensive prowess, they should focus on improving ball movement, as their current average of 13.0 assists per game is slightly below their opponents.

Defensively, they limit opponents to an average of 54.7 points per game, showcasing a substantial margin of safety when compared to their offense. Additionally, they excel with averages of 39.6 rebounds, 4.9 blocks, and 9.9 steals per game, highlighting their versatile ability to disrupt opposing teams.

MyBookie presents the betting odds for this college basketball matchup, favoring the Houston Cougars by 10.5 points. According to market analysis, they hold a 93.0 percent chance of winning when playing at home.

The Cougars have consistently played good defense this season and it is their key to winning games. It does not appear that they will blow out the Longhorns, but rather a slow and steady grind towards the end to eventually cover the spread.