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Missouri vs Howard Week 1 Betting Preview
Missouri begins its 2025-26 season in an unusual spot — on the road at Howard’s Burr Gymnasium in Washington, D.C. Coach Dennis Gates’ team comes off a 22-12 year and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Junior guard Anthony Robinson II and senior forward Mark Mitchell headline the Tigers. Robinson’s defense helped spark a 100-91 exhibition win over Kansas State. Mitchell, who averaged 13.9 points and led Missouri in scoring last season, returns after a minor wrist issue in preseason. You can review full team trends and past results on the college basketball previews page
Howard, a preseason MEAC contender, counters with forward Bryce Harris, who averaged 16.6 points and 7.5 rebounds before injury last season. Transfers Cam Gillus and Cedric Taylor III join a deeper rotation for coach Kenneth Blakeney.
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Line Movement and Odds
Missouri opened around –19.5, with the total near 148.5. The spread has tightened slightly as early money came on Howard, though sharper bettors still lean Missouri. Around two-thirds of public tickets favor the Tigers. You can follow live updates anytime on the NCAA basketball odds page
Moneyline markets list Missouri near –2000, Howard around +900. The total dipped one point, signaling some Under interest from respected players. For additional betting perspective, check the college basketball picks section where daily predictions update throughout the week.
Matchup Breakdown
Missouri Outlook
The Tigers bring a veteran mix, led by Mitchell’s versatility and Robinson’s on-ball pressure. Missouri forced 8.9 steals per game last season and ranked top-50 nationally in turnover margin.
Howard Outlook
Howard’s offense relies heavily on Harris’ isolation scoring. The Bison allowed nearly 79 points per game in 2024-25 and struggled with defensive rebounding. Their best shot at covering involves slowing tempo and drawing fouls inside.
Key Battle
Paint control favors Missouri. The Tigers’ size and depth should dominate the glass against a smaller Howard front line. That’s the main reason sharp money has backed Missouri early.
For deeper betting context, refer to the expert betting guide to understand line movement and market signals before tip-off.
Injuries and Conditions
Missouri Tigers
- Mark Mitchell (wrist): Practiced fully this week and expected to start.
- No other notable injuries reported.
Howard Bison
- Bryce Harris (knee): Fully cleared.
- No other injuries listed.
Full player updates are available on each team’s page via the NCAA basketball teams index This is an indoor matchup, so no weather impact.
Best Bets and Prediction
Missouri has covered five of its past seven nonconference openers, while Howard is 2-6 ATS in its last eight against Power-Six opponents.
Projected score: Missouri 82, Howard 62
Best bet: Missouri –18.5
Secondary lean: Under 147
Before finalizing your ticket, compare line movement and consensus data on the scores and odds board
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