UAB vs. Houston Prediction and Odds for NCAA Men's Tournament First Round

The South Region’s No. 5 vs. No. 12 matchup will feature the No. 5 Houston Cougars and the No. 12 UAB Blazers facing off at 9:20 p.m. EST on Friday, March 18, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. 

The Cougars took home the AAC Championship with a resounding win over the Memphis Tigers, while UAB downed Louisiana Tech in the Conference USA Final to earn an automatic bid. 

Let’s break down the odds for this game via WynnBET: 

UAB vs. Houston Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

• UAB +8 (-110)
• Houston -8 (-110)

Moneyline:

• UAB: +280
• Houston: -360

Total:

• 136.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

UAB vs. Houston Betting Trends, Insights and Analysis 

UAB

• Overall Record: 27-7
• ATS Record:, 18-13-1
• Over/Under Record: 21-10-1
• SoS: 114th

• Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 112.5
• Defensive Efficiency: 98.5

• eFG%: 52.9%
• FT%: 73.9%
• 3PT%: 38.4%

• Last Year’s Tournament Result: N/A
• Odds to win National Championship: +3000 (Field)

Houston

• Overall Record: 28-5
• ATS Record: 21-12
• Over/Under Record: 15-18
• SoS: 55th

• Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 117.2
• Defensive Efficiency: 91.4

• eFG%: 53.7%
• FT%: 66.8%
• 3PT%: 34.1%

• Last Year’s Tournament Result: National Semi-Final
• Odds to win National Championship: +4000

UAB vs. Houston Prediction and Pick

We all know that the 5-12 matchup is usually one that breeds upsets, but is that going to be the case here?

I’m not willing to go as far to say the Blazers will pick up the upset, but I do think that they can cover as eight-point dogs in this matchup. 

UAB can really shoot the 3 (38.4 percent), and it has similar offensive/defensive efficiency splits to Houston this season. UAB is one of the top mid-majors at KenPom, ranking 46th, but the Cougars are one of the favorite teams of the analytic, coming in fourth. 

I think Houston can play enough defense to win this game, but give me the Blazers to keep it close in what should be a highly=picked upset game. 

Lean: UAB +8 (-110)

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.

Follow BetSided's March Madness hub throughout the entirety of the NCAA men's and women's tournaments for full betting previews and picks for every game, updated betting odds, futures for the Final Four and national championship, insights, trends, videos, podcasts and more!