Houston Cougars Defeat Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 69-60
Monday, December 29, 2025, 8:00 PM ET · Fertitta Center
Houston Cougars 69, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 60, 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 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs Houston Cougars?
Houston Cougars beat Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 69-60 at Fertitta Center on December 29, 2025.
Who was favored in Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs Houston Cougars?
Houston Cougars were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -8000 (about 99% implied). The favorite won.
The Houston Cougars secured a 69-60 victory over the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at the Fertitta Center, continuing their strong season with a home record of 12-1. This win marks the Cougars' fifth consecutive victory, showcasing their dominance as they averaged 81.4 points scored over their last ten games while allowing just 61.5 points. In contrast, the Blue Raiders, now at 7-5 for the season, have shown a mixed performance with a recent record of 6-4, averaging 75.8 points scored and 73.4 points allowed in their last ten outings.
The Cougars have been particularly formidable at home, boasting a 7-1 record, while the Blue Raiders have struggled on the road with an away record of 1-2. Houston's recent form has been impressive, with their last five games yielding an average of 84.2 points scored and only 60.6 points allowed. The Blue Raiders, on the other hand, have averaged 68.4 points scored and 68.2 points allowed in their last five games, indicating a tighter contest.
In terms of previous meetings, this matchup was notable as the Cougars looked to assert their dominance in the series. The Cougars were heavily favored in the betting market, with DraftKings setting the spread at -25.5 for Houston and a moneyline of -8000 for the Cougars, while the Blue Raiders were priced at +2200. The total for the game was set at 138.5, reflecting expectations for a competitive scoring environment.
Injuries did not play a significant role in this game, allowing both teams to field their best lineups. The conditions at the Fertitta Center were conducive for a high-energy game, with fans supporting the Cougars as they aimed to maintain their winning streak.
Throughout the game, viewers witnessed a series of scoring plays that highlighted the intensity of the competition. Notable moments included Joseph Tugler's 4-foot dunk assisted by Mercy Miller, and Alec Oglesby's 24-foot three-point jumper, which kept the Blue Raiders within striking distance. However, despite their efforts, the Blue Raiders could not overcome the Cougars' defensive pressure and scoring efficiency.
As the game progressed, the Cougars maintained control, with Milos Uzan contributing crucial free throws that pushed the score to 69-58 before Kamari Lands made a late jumper for the Blue Raiders, finalizing the score at 69-60. The Cougars' ability to close out the game effectively underscored their status as a formidable opponent in the NCAAB landscape.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | HOU -25.5 | 138.5 o -105 / u -115 | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders +2200 · Houston Cougars -8000 |
Leaders
- PointsKingston Flemings15Houston Cougars
- AssistsKingston Flemings5Houston Cougars
- ReboundsJoseph Tugler6Houston Cougars
- PointsKamari Lands18Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- AssistsSean Smith4Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- ReboundsTorey Alston12Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Recent form
Houston Cougars
Last 10: 9-1Streak W581.4 scored · 61.5 allowed per game7-1 at home
- W94-85at Arkansas RazorbacksDec 20
- W99-57vs LSU New Orleans PrivateersDec 13
- W80-38vs Jackson State TigersDec 11
- W82-67vs Florida State SeminolesDec 7
- W66-56vs Notre Dame Fighting IrishNov 26
- L73-76vs Tennessee VolunteersNov 25
- W78-74vs Syracuse OrangeNov 24
- W91-45vs Rider BroncsNov 21
- W73-72at Auburn TigersNov 16
- W78-45vs Oakland Golden GrizzliesNov 13
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Last 10: 6-4Streak W275.8 scored · 73.4 allowed per game1-2 away
- W74-58vs Cumberland PhoenixDec 21
- W68-67vs Kennesaw State OwlsDec 18
- L62-83vs Belmont BruinsDec 7
- W76-61vs UAB BlazersDec 2
- L62-72at McNeese CowboysNov 25
- L79-92vs George Washington RevolutionariesNov 24
- W90-87vs Murray State RacersNov 24
- L61-86at Michigan WolverinesNov 19
- W77-72at Evansville Purple AcesNov 13
- W109-56vs Webster GorloksNov 9
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 26-8 | - | 17-3 |
| Sam Houston | 22-12 | 4 | 13-7 |
| Louisiana Tech | 20-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Western Kentucky | 18-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Middle Tennessee | 17-15 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Kennesaw State | 21-14 | 7 | 10-10 |
| Jacksonville State | 15-17 | 7 | 10-10 |
| New Mexico State | 16-16 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Missouri State | 16-18 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Florida International | 15-17 | 9 | 8-12 |
| UTEP | 11-20 | 8 | 7-13 |
| Delaware | 10-21 | 11 | 6-14 |
| 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 | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders | Houston Cougars |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 23-49 | 24-59 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 41 |
| Three-pointers | 11-28 | 6-20 |
| Three-point % | 39 | 30 |
| Free throws | 3-6 | 15-17 |
| Free throw % | 50 | 88 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 31 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 14 |
| Defensive rebounds | 22 | 17 |
| Assists | 13 | 8 |
| Steals | 3 | 8 |
| Blocks | 3 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 19 | 6 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 3 | 30 |
| Fast-break points | 0 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 22 | 32 |
| Fouls | 21 | 11 |
| Largest lead | 3 | 16 |
| Lead changes | 10 | 10 |
| Time in front | 17 | 76 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half26-30Kingston Flemings makes driving layup
- 1st Half28-30Chris Loofe makes 9-foot jumper
- 1st Half28-33Milos Uzan makes 26-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half30-33Kamari Lands makes driving layup
- 2nd Half30-36Chris Cenac Jr. makes 23-foot three point jumper (Kingston Flemings assists)
- 2nd Half33-36Sean Smith makes 23-foot three point jumper (Torey Alston assists)
- 2nd Half34-36Jahvin Carter makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half34-38Joseph Tugler makes 7-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half34-41Emanuel Sharp makes 24-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half37-41Kamari Lands makes 29-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half37-42Kingston Flemings makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half37-43Kingston Flemings makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half37-45Kingston Flemings makes driving layup
- 2nd Half40-45Kamari Lands makes 27-foot three point jumper (Sean Smith assists)
- 2nd Half40-46Kingston Flemings makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half40-47Kingston Flemings makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half40-48Emanuel Sharp makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half40-49Emanuel Sharp makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half40-51Emanuel Sharp makes 11-foot jumper (Kingston Flemings assists)
- 2nd Half40-53Joseph Tugler makes 4-foot dunk (Kingston Flemings assists)
- 2nd Half42-53Torey Alston makes 3-foot dunk (Chris Loofe assists)
- 2nd Half43-53Torey Alston makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half43-54Chris Cenac Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-55Chris Cenac Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half43-57Kingston Flemings makes 3-foot dunk
- 2nd Half45-57Jahvin Carter makes driving layup
- 2nd Half45-59Chris Cenac Jr. makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half47-59Torey Alston makes layup (Chris Loofe assists)
- 2nd Half47-61Mercy Miller makes driving layup
- 2nd Half47-63Mercy Miller makes driving layup
- 2nd Half50-63Kamari Lands makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half53-63Kamari Lands makes 27-foot three point jumper (Sean Smith assists)
- 2nd Half53-65Joseph Tugler makes 4-foot dunk (Mercy Miller assists)
- 2nd Half56-65Alec Oglesby makes 24-foot three point jumper (Sean Smith assists)
- 2nd Half56-66Isiah Harwell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-67Isiah Harwell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-67Sean Smith makes driving layup
- 2nd Half58-68Milos Uzan makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-69Milos Uzan makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-69Kamari Lands makes 20-foot jumper
Win probability
Above the line favours Houston Cougars, below favours Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.
Venue
- Fertitta CenterHouston, TX
- Attendance7035
- OfficialsMichael Greenstein, Kipp Kissinger, Jason Garretson
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