The Jackson State Tigers take on the Houston Cougars in Houston, Texas. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Houston is favored by -39 points on the spread with the total set at 135.5 points.
Here’s my Jackson State vs. Houston prediction and college basketball picks for December 10, 2025.
Jackson State vs Houston Prediction
My Pick: Houston -39 (Play to -45)
My Jackson State vs Houston best bet is on the Cougars 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.
Jackson State vs. Houston Odds
| Jackson State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+39.5 -115 | 135.5 -105o / -115u | OFF |
| Houston Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-39.5 -105 | 135.5 -105o / -115u | OFF |
- Jackson State vs Houston spread: Houston -39.5
- Jackson State vs Houston over/under: 135.5 points
Jackson State vs Houston College Basketball Betting Preview
Jackson State Basketball
Jackson State has been the tune-up of all tune-ups for high-major foes. The Tigers, who have just one win this season, will have a tough task against the mid-major slayer in Houston.
Just for fun, here's how many points Jackson State lost each of its high-major games by
- Auburn won by 46
- Arkansas won by 54
- Illinois won by 58
- Louisville won by 36
So, when you see the super high spread here, it's for a reason.
The Tigers rank 346th out of 365 teams in offensive efficiency, while shooting just 40% on 2s and 30% on 3s. Nobody can score on Houston inside anyway, but Jackson State will have a tougher time doing so than most.
The Tigers have three guards who make most of the noise offensively. Former top-100 recruit Daeshun Ruffin leads the Tigers with 15.4 points per game, but he's shooting 36% from the field and 20% from 3.
Junior wing Jayme Mitchell is the best pure scorer on the roster, shooting 43% from 3.
The third guard is Dorian McMillian, a sophomore whose efficiency has dipped to 33% shooting overall and 25% from 3.
Outside of them, there's very little scoring from this woeful Jackson State squad.
You want to hear the two stats that'll likely be the demise of Jackson State in this duel? Shield your eyes. The Tigers are 363rd in defensive rebounding rate and 357th in 2-point field goal defense.
Houston Basketball
Houston has dropped from first to 10th in KenPom in the first month of the season. Still, Houston is 8-1, with the lone loss coming to Tennessee.
Don't sleep on Houston, despite the dip in analytical numbers. I still buy into the Coogs.
Playing Jackson State will be a nice momentum game for them. They'll bully the Tigers on the glass, as Houston ranks 25th with a 38% offensive rebounding rate.
The Cougars' defense is elite as usual, ranking sixth in KenPom's defensive efficiency. Opponents shoot just 45.8% on 2s versus Houston, and they force turnovers at a 21.2% clip. The Cougars also hold teams to 25.8% from 3, so there isn't a real path to scoring on Houston.
For the Cougars to get back to the top-five range in KenPom, they have to shoot better from 3. The key is really Milos Uzan, who's hitting just 26% from downtown. He's a big reason why Houston is shooting just 33% from deep.
Freshman phenom Kingston Flemings is very special. The star guard is second on Houston with 15 points per game, but he's shooting 60% from the field and 56% from deep. He's the LJ Cryer of this Houston squad — and he might even be better than Cryer.
Jackson State vs. Houston Betting Analysis
The spread is sitting at Houston -39 (at the time of writing), and I have to take the Cougars here. They have just one win by 40+ points this season, and it was against Rider.
I could see Houston winning by 50, though.
Everything that Jackson State struggles with, Houston can exploit.
Expect an absolute thrashing here.
My Pick: Houston -39 (Play to -45)
