Houston Dominates Cincinnati in Convincing Win
Saturday, January 31, 2026, 12:00 PM ET · Fertitta Center
Houston Cougars 76, Cincinnati Bearcats 54, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Cincinnati Bearcats vs Houston Cougars?
Houston Cougars beat Cincinnati Bearcats 76-54 at Fertitta Center on January 31, 2026.
Who was favored in Cincinnati Bearcats vs Houston Cougars?
Houston Cougars were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -1350 (about 93% implied). The favorite won.
The Houston Cougars delivered a commanding performance against the Cincinnati Bearcats, winning decisively with a final score of 76-54 at the Fertitta Center. This victory extends Houston's impressive home record to 20-2, while Cincinnati falls to 11-12 on the season. The matchup was particularly noteworthy as it showcased the stark contrast in the teams' recent forms and standings in the league.
Houston entered the game with a strong home record of 19-2 and had been in solid form, winning nine of their last ten games, with an average of 82.0 points scored and 66.3 points allowed over that stretch. Their recent victory against TCU on January 29, with a score of 79-70, added to their momentum, and they were riding a one-game winning streak. In contrast, Cincinnati's recent performance had been less consistent, with a record of 4-6 in their last ten games, averaging 68.8 points scored and 68.6 points allowed. They had just secured a win against Baylor on January 28, but prior to that, they had suffered losses against Arizona State and Arizona.
At home, Houston has proven to be a formidable opponent, boasting a perfect 5-0 record in their last five home games. Their scoring prowess has been evident, averaging 84.4 points in those matchups. Cincinnati, on the other hand, has struggled on the road, with an away record of 0-5 in their last five games, highlighting their difficulties in securing wins outside of their home venue.
The two teams had met earlier in the season on January 3, where Houston also emerged victorious with a score of 67-60. This latest win marked Houston's third consecutive victory over Cincinnati, extending their head-to-head record to 3-0 over the past two seasons, including a 73-64 win in March 2025.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any players missing from either team, suggesting both squads were at full strength for this crucial matchup. The market had set the odds with Houston favored by 13.5 points, according to DraftKings, with a total set at 135.5. The moneyline odds reflected Houston's dominance, priced at -1350 for the Cougars and +800 for the Bearcats.
The conditions at the Fertitta Center were conducive for a high-energy game, and Houston capitalized on their home court advantage. The Cougars' defense was particularly effective, limiting Cincinnati's scoring opportunities and forcing them to settle for contested shots. Houston's offensive execution was sharp, with key contributions from players like Milos Uzan and Keyshuan Tillery, who made significant plays throughout the game.
As the game progressed, Houston maintained control, with scoring plays that showcased their offensive depth. Highlights included a 27-foot three-pointer from Tillery and a series of effective jump shots from Jalen Celestine. Cincinnati struggled to keep pace, unable to find consistent scoring solutions against Houston's defense.
Overall, this matchup served as a reminder of Houston's status as a top contender in the league, while Cincinnati continues to seek answers to improve their performance as they navigate the remainder of the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | HOU -13.5 | 135.5 o -110 / u -110 | Cincinnati Bearcats +800 · Houston Cougars -1350 |
Leaders
- PointsMilos Uzan16Houston Cougars
- AssistsKingston Flemings6Houston Cougars
- ReboundsJoseph Tugler5Houston Cougars
- PointsJalen Celestine15Cincinnati Bearcats
- AssistsDay Day Thomas3Cincinnati Bearcats
- ReboundsBaba Miller8Cincinnati Bearcats
Recent form
Houston Cougars
Last 10: 9-1Streak W182 scored · 66.3 allowed per game5-0 at home
- W79-70at TCU Horned FrogsJan 29
- L86-90at Texas Tech Red RaidersJan 24
- W103-73vs Arizona State Sun DevilsJan 18
- W77-48vs West Virginia MountaineersJan 14
- W77-55at Baylor BearsJan 10
- W69-65vs Texas Tech Red RaidersJan 7
- W67-60at Cincinnati BearcatsJan 3
- W69-60vs Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersDec 30
- W94-85at Arkansas RazorbacksDec 20
- W99-57vs LSU New Orleans PrivateersDec 13
Cincinnati Bearcats
Last 10: 4-6Streak W168.8 scored · 68.6 allowed per game0-5 away
- W67-57vs Baylor BearsJan 28
- L68-82at Arizona State Sun DevilsJan 25
- L51-77at Arizona WildcatsJan 22
- W79-70vs Iowa State CyclonesJan 17
- W77-68vs Colorado BuffaloesJan 15
- L72-73at UCF KnightsJan 11
- L60-62at West Virginia MountaineersJan 7
- L60-67vs Houston CougarsJan 3
- W89-62vs Lipscomb BisonsDec 30
- L65-68at Clemson TigersDec 21
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 36-3 | - | 16-2 |
| Houston | 30-7 | 2 | 14-4 |
| Iowa State | 29-8 | 4 | 12-6 |
| Kansas | 24-11 | 4 | 12-6 |
| Texas Tech | 23-11 | 4 | 12-6 |
| TCU | 23-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| BYU | 23-12 | 7 | 9-9 |
| UCF | 21-12 | 7 | 9-9 |
| West Virginia | 21-14 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Cincinnati | 18-15 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Colorado | 17-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Arizona State | 17-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Oklahoma State | 20-15 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Baylor | 17-17 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Kansas State | 12-20 | 13 | 3-15 |
| Utah | 10-22 | 14 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Cincinnati Bearcats | Houston Cougars |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 18-47 | 26-58 |
| Field goal % | 38 | 45 |
| Three-pointers | 10-23 | 9-26 |
| Three-point % | 43 | 35 |
| Free throws | 8-13 | 15-18 |
| Free throw % | 62 | 83 |
| Rebounds | 35 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 23 | 18 |
| Assists | 11 | 14 |
| Steals | 2 | 9 |
| Blocks | 1 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 19 | 4 |
| Team turnovers | 3 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 2 | 26 |
| Fast-break points | 5 | 5 |
| Points in the paint | 8 | 26 |
| Fouls | 14 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 30 |
| Lead changes | 3 | 3 |
| Time in front | 5 | 88 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half23-37Jalen Celestine makes 24-foot three point jumper (Day Day Thomas assists)
- 2nd Half23-38Joseph Tugler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half23-39Joseph Tugler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half23-41Kingston Flemings makes 14-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half25-41Halvine Dzellat makes 7-foot hook shot (Baba Miller assists)
- 2nd Half25-44Milos Uzan makes 25-foot three point jumper (Kingston Flemings assists)
- 2nd Half27-44Baba Miller makes 12-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half30-44Keyshuan Tillery makes 23-foot three point jumper (Baba Miller assists)
- 2nd Half30-45Emanuel Sharp makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half30-46Emanuel Sharp makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half30-48Emanuel Sharp makes driving layup
- 2nd Half30-49Emanuel Sharp makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half30-50Emanuel Sharp makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half33-50Day Day Thomas makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jizzle James assists)
- 2nd Half33-51Isiah Harwell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half33-52Isiah Harwell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half33-53Isiah Harwell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half33-54Isiah Harwell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half33-57Isiah Harwell makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half33-59Milos Uzan makes driving layup
- 2nd Half33-60Isiah Harwell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half34-60Halvine Dzellat makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half34-62Mercy Miller makes 14-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half34-64Kingston Flemings makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half37-64Keyshuan Tillery makes 24-foot three point jumper (Day Day Thomas assists)
- 2nd Half38-64Keyshuan Tillery makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half39-64Halvine Dzellat makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half39-66Milos Uzan makes layup (Kingston Flemings assists)
- 2nd Half40-66Jalen Celestine makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half41-66Jalen Celestine makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half41-68Milos Uzan makes 15-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half44-68Jalen Celestine makes 23-foot three point jumper (Baba Miller assists)
- 2nd Half44-70Joseph Tugler makes 7-foot hook shot (Milos Uzan assists)
- 2nd Half47-70Keyshuan Tillery makes 27-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half47-71Joseph Tugler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-71Jalen Celestine makes 16-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half49-74Isiah Harwell makes 25-foot three point jumper (Kingston Flemings assists)
- 2nd Half52-74Jalen Celestine makes 23-foot three point jumper (Keyshuan Tillery assists)
- 2nd Half52-76Milos Uzan makes 10-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half54-76Keyshuan Tillery makes driving layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Houston Cougars, below favours Cincinnati Bearcats.
Venue
- Fertitta CenterHouston, TX
- Attendance7035
- OfficialsMarques Pettigrew, James Ford, Chance Moore
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond