The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7-5, 0-1 CUSA) host the Sam Houston Bearkats (8-4, 0-1 CUSA) in a matchup of CUSA teams at E. A. Diddle Arena, tipping off at 5 p.m. ET on Friday, January 2, 2026. The Hilltoppers are 4.5-point favorites in the game. The matchup has an over/under of 166.5.
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Western Kentucky Cover -4.5 vs Sam Houston -108
Western Kentucky vs. Sam Houston betting lines
- Western Kentucky moneyline odds to win: -187
- Sam Houston moneyline odds to win: +156
- Spread: Western Kentucky (-4.5)
- Total: 166.5
Western Kentucky statistics, trends and more
As the home team
- Western Kentucky covered the spread in a lower percentage of its home games than road games last year. Western Kentucky covered eight times in 17 games at home, and it covered seven times in 13 games on the road.
- When playing at home last season, the Hilltoppers exceeded the over/under 52.9% of the time (nine of 17 games). They hit the over in 23.1% of games on the road (three of 13 contests).
- At home last year, Western Kentucky won more often as a moneyline favorite, producing a record of 11-4 (.733). In road games, it was 1-1 (.500) as a moneyline favorite.
Last season stats
- The Hilltoppers scored 74.8 points per game and allowed 74.8 last season, making them 143rd in the country offensively and 263rd on defense.
- Western Kentucky was 96th in the nation in rebounds per game (33.3) and -4-worst in rebounds allowed (37.5) last year.
- The Hilltoppers were 295th in college basketball in assists (11.9 per game) last season.
Western Kentucky betting records this season
- ATS Record: 6-4-0 (Home: 2-2-0; Away: 1-2-0)
- ATS Record When Favored by 4.5+: 1-2-0 (As Favorite: 2-3-0; As Underdog: 4-1-0)
- O-U-P: 6-4-0 (Home: 3-1-0; Away: 2-1-0)
- Record When Moneyline Favorite: 4-1 (Home: 3-0; Away: 1-1)
- Record When Moneyline Underdog: 1-4 (Home: 0-1; Away: 0-1)
| Field Goal % | Opp. Field Goal % | Rebounds | Opp. Rebounds | Assists | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42.1 (312th in nation) | 42.2 (116th) | 37.0 (42nd) | 32.3 (244th) | 13.5 (245th) | 10.7 (104th) |
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Sam Houston statistics, trends and more
As the away team
- In 2025-26 against the spread, Sam Houston has a better winning percentage at home (1.000, 1-0-0 record) than away (.833, 5-1-0).
- In 2025-26 a lower percentage of the Bearkats’ games have finished above the over/under at home (0%, zero of one) compared to on the road (83.3%, five of six).
Last season stats
- With 75.3 points per game on offense, the Bearkats were 136th in college basketball last season. At the other end, they surrendered 76.0 points per contest, which ranked 294th in college basketball.
- With 31.8 boards per game, Sam Houston was 184th in the nation. It ceded 31.2 rebounds per contest, which ranked 182nd in college basketball.
- The Bearkats ranked 227th in the country with 12.9 assists per game.
Sam Houston betting records this season
- ATS Record: 8-1-0 (Home: 1-0-0; Away: 5-1-0)
- ATS Record When Underdog by 4.5+: 3-1-0 (As Favorite: 3-0-0; As Underdog: 5-1-0)
- O-U-P: 7-2-0 (Home: 0-1-0; Away: 5-1-0)
- Record When Moneyline Favorite: 3-0 (Home: 1-0; Away: 1-0)
- Record When Moneyline Underdog: 2-4 (Home: 0-0; Away: 1-4)
| Field Goal % | Opp. Field Goal % | Rebounds | Opp. Rebounds | Assists | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46.2 (144th in nation) | 40.1 (52nd) | 40.3 (eighth) | 29.3 (100th) | 15.6 (117th) | 11.8 (202nd) |
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