BYU and Houston meet Thursday in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri (7:00 p.m. ET). Houston finished 2nd in the Big 12 (14-4) and enters off a double-bye, while BYU (9-9 Big 12) is playing its third game in three days.
Houston is priced as the clear favorite with BYU getting +9.5 and a +350 moneyline in a matchup that features a fast-scoring BYU profile versus Houston’s slower tempo and elite scoring defense. Odds as of 9:08 a.m. ET on March 12, 2026.
Odds
Odds are from BetOnline.
| Team/Market | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYU | +9.5 (-110) | +350 | |
| Houston | -9.5 (-110) | -465 | |
| Total | O 145.5 (-115) / U 145.5 (-105) |
Team Snapshot
This snapshot focuses on full-season results and core efficiency indicators.
| Team | Record | Last 10 | ATS | Off Eff | Def Eff | Tempo | Key Injury Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYU | 23-10 | 6-4 | 14-19-0 | 1.37 pts/poss | 74.9 PA/G | 70.1 pace | G R. Saunders out (knee) |
| Houston | 26-5 | 7-3 | 15-16-0 | 1.25 pts/poss | 62.7 PA/G | 63.7 pace | G K. Jefferson out (knee) |
Recent Form & Statistical Edge
BYU
BYU is 6-4 SU over its last 10, with a 6-4 ATS and 6-4 O/U run in that span. The bigger issue is the full-season ATS profile (14-19-0), which has lagged behind the win-loss resume.
Offensively, BYU’s pace (70.1) and scoring (84.5 PPG) push games upward, but the efficiency is not purely from 3-point shooting: BYU is at 34.8% from three while allowing 35.5% on the other end. BYU does bring a rebounding edge (+4.5 rebound margin) and generally protects the ball (10.6 turnovers per game), but it faces a Houston defense that is built to win the possession battle.
Rest spot matters: BYU played March 10 and March 11 in Kansas City, so this is its third game in three days.
Houston
Houston is 7-3 SU over its last 10, but just 3-7 ATS with a 3-7 O/U stretch, which lines up with a team that wins often but can play closer-to-market outcomes. Houston’s tournament path is also materially different: it has been off since March 7 and is opening play in the quarterfinals.
The edge is still defense and possession control. Houston allows 62.7 points per game, holds opponents to 40.3% shooting overall, and limits opponent 3-point accuracy to 31.5%. Offensively, Houston is efficient enough (1.25 pts/poss) to separate when it’s generating extra possessions, and it has the turnover profile to do it: 8.3 turnovers per game, with opponents averaging 13.9 (a Big 12-best +5.65 turnover margin). Houston is also positive on the glass (+3.0 rebound margin) and creates extra looks via offensive rebounding.
Matchup Keys
- Tempo tug-of-war: BYU plays faster (70.1 pace) than Houston (63.7), so the total often comes down to whether Houston can keep this in the halfcourt.
- Turnovers are Houston’s clearest lever: Houston’s turnover margin (+5.65) versus BYU’s (+0.76) is a major possession gap in a single-elimination setting.
- 3-point math: BYU shoots 34.8% from three but also allows 35.5%; Houston shoots 34.5% and holds opponents to 31.5%, giving Houston the cleaner perimeter profile.
- Rebounding stays relevant even vs Houston: BYU (+4.5 rebound margin) can hang around if it avoids losing the offensive glass and finishes possessions.
- Rest advantage: Houston is playing its first tournament game (double-bye) while BYU is on game No. 3 in three days, which can show up in 3-point legs and transition defense late.
Best Bet
Under 145.5 (-105)
Houston’s slower pace (63.7) and elite scoring defense (62.7 points allowed per game) are a strong combination for an under in a neutral-site tournament game, especially with BYU on short rest. Houston also forces a high opponent turnover rate (13.9 per game), which can disrupt BYU’s rhythm and reduce shot volume. Even if BYU scores, Houston’s preferred game script is to turn this into halfcourt possessions and win with defense and free throws, not a track meet. With the total in the mid-140s, you do not need a rock fight, just a Houston-controlled tempo for long stretches.
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