Game Preview

The No. 2 Houston Cougars kick off their 2025‑26 season on November 3, 2025 when they host the Lehigh Mountain Hawks at the Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas. Tip‑off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on CBSSN. Oddsmakers expect a one‑sided affair, listing the Cougars as massive ~37.5‑point favorites with a total around 145 points.

Team Analysis

• Houston Cougars: Coach Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars return the nucleus of last year’s Elite Eight team and open the year ranked No. 2 nationally. They led the country in defensive efficiency last season and will again lean on suffocating pressure and half‑court execution. Transfer guard LJ Cryer steps in as the lead scorer, while veterans Jamal Shead and J’Wan Roberts anchor a deep rotation. Pickswise notes that Houston’s defense finished first in adjusted efficiency and expects them to overwhelm Lehigh’s offense (Lehigh Mountain Hawks vs Houston Cougars Prediction …).
• Lehigh Mountain Hawks: The Patriot League visitors finished middle of the pack last season and lose their leading scorer. Coach Brett Reed brings back guards Tyler Whitney‑Sidney and Keith Higgins Jr., but the Hawks lack size and struggled to rebound against top competition. Facing Houston’s length and intensity, their offense (rated near the bottom of Division I last season) could grind to a halt (Lehigh Mountain Hawks vs Houston Cougars Prediction …).

Betting Pick & Prediction

Houston enters as one of the favorites to win the national title and will want to make a statement on opening night. Their smothering defense should limit Lehigh to one‑and‑done possessions, while Cryer and Shead push the tempo on the other end. With Lehigh transitioning several new pieces into the lineup, it’s hard to see them staying within shouting distance.

Best Bet: Houston −37.5 – The Cougars should cover the hefty spread thanks to their top‑ranked defense and efficient offense.
Over/Under: Under 145 – Houston’s pace is methodical and they limit opponents to few possessions; Lehigh may struggle to crack 60 points.

Final Score Prediction

Houston 90, Lehigh 52
Look for the Cougars to cruise past the Hawks and start their season with an emphatic victory, covering the large number and keeping the game under the total.