#8 Houston vs. #14 Arkansas Picks and Predictions: Never Forget Tribute Classic

Nate Hornung

Written by: Nate Hornung

Last Update: Fri Dec 19, 2025, 5:27 pm ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

Emanuel Sharp averages 15.9 points for the Cougars, adding 2.9 boards and 1.9 assists as well - Houston BYU Picks

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Houston Cougars logo
FINAL
Arkansas Razorbacks logo

Houston Cougars

94

Arkansas Razorbacks

85
See Picks & Statistics For The Game

Both of these top 15 teams are a long way from home as the No. 8 Houston Cougars and No. 14 Arkansas Razorbacks head up to New Jersey for this showdown at the Prudential Center. Kelvin Sampson and John Calipari have their teams off to a combined 19-3 record this season, with all losses able to be deemed forgivable in my eyes. However tomorrow the two lead their squads against each other on CBS, and only one can win. Who will it be? Let's find out who our expert's like with their picks below.

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#8 Houston Cougars vs. #14 Arkansas Razorbacks NCAA Basketball Insights

Freshmen Kingston Flemings and Darius Acuff will be going head to head this Saturday - Houston Arkansas Picks

Freshmen Kingston Flemings and Darius Acuff will be going head to head this Saturday

The Houston Cougars are off to a 10-1 start after losing in the National Championship in early April. Their one loss this season came against the No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers in their second matchup of the Player's Era Festival. This was just a day after they squeaked by Syracuse in overtime in Las Vegas, and they didn't beat Notre Dame as well as they should have following the loss to the Vols. But, since those three games, Houston has won three straight, covering every single spread. Could they do it again against the Hogs?

Arkansas is just 9-2 this year, losing to the No. 22 ranked Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing by three points, and to the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils by nine, covering the 11.5 point spread. As for wins, the Razorbacks beat No. 6 Louisville by nine at home following their Duke loss, and beat No. 16 Texas Tech in Dallas last Saturday in a come from behind win. They put up 110 against Queens this week, but now face possibly the best defense in the country.

Matchup Information – Houston vs. Arkansas – December 20

  • Venue & Location: Prudential Center (Newark, NJ)
  • Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025
  • Kick Off: 5:30 p.m. Eastern
  • Broadcast: CBS

Houston vs. Arkansas Betting Odds

Odds are courtesy of Lucky Rebel, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of December 19, 2025 at 3:16 p.m. eastern. Sign up today with and get a $1,250 deposit bonus, as well as 50 slot spins immediately. Lucky Rebel Sportsbook offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.

Spread

  • Houston -4.5 (-110)
  • Arkansas +4.5 (-110)

Total

  • Over 143.5 (-110)
  • Under 143.5 (-110)

This game will be a battle of tempo, as Houston is the 12th slowest team in the country while the Razorbacks are top 50. One will want to get out and run, while the other will focus on taking time in their sets. Regardless, I do think this spread is a bit too large.

#8 Houston vs. #14 Arkansas NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions

Darius Acuff Jr. averages 18.2 points and 6.1 assists in 32.2 minutes per game, leading Arkansas in every category - Arkansas Houston Picks

Darius Acuff Jr. averages 18.2 points and 6.1 assists in 32.2 minutes per game, leading Arkansas in every category

Houston vs. Arkansas Prediction: Arkansas Wins Outright, Under 143.5

Best Bet: Arkansas +4.5 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

Back the Heartbreak Hogs with me this weekend, and if you want, tell the books to keep the points. I've got a half unit on the moneyline at +180 as well as the +4.5 in this game. Woo Pig Sooie.

The Houston Cougars are second in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency and top 10 in eFG% defense. They force tons of turnovers, but the Hogs are No. 7 in taking care of the basketball. This will be crucial in trying to pull off this upset. Houston crashes the offensive glass, but they are allergic at drawing fouls. The Cougars are bottom 10 in the country at getting to the free throw line, and are just an average shooting team. If the Hogs can get in their grill and disrupt this slow offense, much like they did with Texas Tech, they'll be able to breakout for some quick scores.

Arkansas is top 15 in FT Rate defense, so again, Houston won't spend much time at the line. Plus, the Hogs hold their opponents to just 28.8% from deep, ranking No. 29 in the country. They matchup well with the Cougars, and Houston has struggled in every single game away from home. I have bought in to this Razorbacks team and will gladly continue to back them in big games.

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Nate Hornung
Nate Hornung

Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.

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