The BYU Cougars take on the Cincinnati Bearcats in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Cincinnati is favored by 1.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -115. The total is set at 152.5 points.
Here’s my BYU vs. Cincinnati predictions and college basketball picks for March 3, 2026.
BYU vs Cincinnati Prediction
My Pick: Cincinnati -1.5
My BYU vs Cincinnati best bet is on the Bearcats 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.
BYU vs. Cincinnati Odds
| BYU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -115 | 152.5 -110o / -110u | -105 |
| Cincinnati Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -105 | 152.5 -110o / -110u | -115 |
- BYU vs Cincinnati spread: Cincinnati -1.5
- BYU vs Cincinnati over/under: 152.5 points
- BYU vs Cincinnati moneyline: BYU -105, Cincinnati -115
BYU vs Cincinnati College Basketball Betting Preview
BYU Basketball
BYU has lost three of its last four games and really needs a win Tuesday in Cincinnati.
That won't be an easy task to accomplish, as the Cougars have been struggling following the loss of Richie Saunders, and Cincinnati has been trending upward.
BYU is still an elite team offensively, which has been a trademark thus far in Kevin Young's tenure.
Another main reason for the offensive firepower in 2025-26? Freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa.
In a class loaded with talented freshman, Dybantsa has as complete a game as just about any and is viewed as a unanimous top-five pick in next year's draft. He can knock down shots, go into isolation mode and score it at the rim. He's also a savvy passer for a freshman.
With the loss of Saunders, Young needs guys like Rob Wright III and Kennard Davis Jr. need to step up and make some plays to take some of the pressure off of Dybantsa.
On the defensive end, the effort and "want to" must improve if this team is going to make a run to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
Too many opponents are getting where they want to via dribble penetration, leading to open layups and uncontested shots from 3.
Cincinnati may not have a ton of lethal shooters from beyond the arc, but it's capable and can definitely hurt you at the rim.
Getting off to a fast start will be key in this one to take the Fifth Third Arena crowd out of it.
Cincinnati Basketball
Wes Miller's team really struggled in the non-conference portion of the season, and many were calling for his job given this season felt like a make-or-break to begin with.
To his credit, he's kept the locker room believing, and the Bearcats are playing their best basketball of the season over the last three-to-four weeks. That's resulted in five wins in their last six contests, including victories over UCF (home) and Kansas (road).
Cincy is up to 13th nationally in KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency rankings, and in its last four wins no opponent has reached 70 points.
The issue is on the other end of the floor, where Cincinnati struggles to score it with any real consistency. Day Day Thomas is an explosive guard who can be a playmaker around the perimeter, but he can be a bit volatile at times.
The BYU defense isn't among the upper echelon of the conference, so if there's a night for this team to get going offensively, it's in this one at home against a mediocre defensive unit.
Taking care of the basketball and winning the battle on the backboards should put the Bearcats in a good position to get this win at home and keep its momentum rolling.
BYU vs. Cincinnati Betting Analysis
This is a matchup between two teams that have been trending in opposite directions of late.
I'm rolling with those trends to continue on Tuesday night, backing the Bearcats at home to get the win in a game they need to keep their at-large hopes alive.
The loss of Saunders for BYU is starting to show itself more and more, and the Cougars have become more dependent on Dybantsa to make plays with the ball in his hands.
I think you'll see the Cincy come out with its hair on fire in this one and the Fifth Third Arena crowd should be rocking, as well.
BYU will still score its fair share, but the Bearcats are the better defensive team and should be able to get stops more consistently.
Give me Cincinnati to win and cover and keep its tournament dreams afloat.
My Pick: Cincinnati -1.5
