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Blue Hens vs Bearkats Picks and Predictions – Thursday January 8, 2026
This is a classic Conference USA mismatch on paper, and the number reflects it. Sam Houston plays fast, scores in bunches, and has been a different animal at home. Delaware’s path to hanging around is very narrow: hit threes early, limit live-ball turnovers, and keep Sam Houston off the offensive glass so the game doesn’t turn into a runout contest.
The spread is big, but it also makes sense given the gap in offensive profile and the home-court split. If Sam Houston gets its pace and rebounds, Delaware will spend the night trying to trade threes for twos, which is not a comfortable way to cover double digits.
Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens vs Sam Houston Bearkats Odds
Monitor updated college basketball odds as tip approaches.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens | +663 | +12.5 (-112) | O 143.5 (-110) |
| Sam Houston Bearkats | -1050 | -12.5 (-111) | U 143.5 (-110) |
Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens Betting Form
Delaware’s best chance to compete is shot-making from deep and controlled possessions. They can space the floor, and when their threes are falling they can survive stretches where they’re physically overmatched inside. Christian Bliss gives them a real engine because he can score, rebound, and create, which matters when you’re trying to slow down a home favorite.
The problem is the road profile. Delaware has struggled away from home, and teams with real pace force them into rushed decisions. If Delaware turns it over, Sam Houston will run, and the spread becomes a math problem fast. To cover +12.5, Delaware needs to avoid the 8-0 and 10-2 spurts that come from consecutive empty trips.
For deeper splits and trendlines, check Delaware stats and results and verify availability.
Sam Houston Bearkats Betting Form
Sam Houston’s profile is built for covering numbers like this at home: high scoring rate, strong rebounding, and enough pressure to force bad shots and rushed passes. The Bearkats don’t need a perfect shooting night if they’re winning the possession battle, because their offensive boards and transition chances create a steady stream of points.
The frontcourt production is especially relevant here. If they’re dominating the paint, Delaware will either start doubling, which opens kick-outs, or they’ll try to survive single coverage and bleed points at the rim. Either way, the Bearkats can get to 80 without needing a hot three-point night, and that’s how big spreads get covered cleanly.
For home splits and recent game logs, use Sam Houston schedule and stats.
Delaware vs Sam Houston Matchup Breakdown
This handicap is mostly possessions. Sam Houston’s rebounding and pace can push this into a high 70s or mid 80s scoring environment for the home team. Delaware’s three-point volume can keep them attached if they’re efficient, but efficiency is harder to sustain on the road against pressure and a team that runs after misses.
The key swing is turnovers into points. If Delaware keeps the live-ball turnovers down and forces Sam Houston to score in the half-court, covering +12.5 becomes realistic. If Sam Houston is getting runouts and second shots, Delaware’s threes become “must make” just to stay inside the number.
Total-wise, 143.5 is reachable if Sam Houston hits its usual pace and Delaware contributes enough from deep to avoid long droughts. Late fouling is also a factor with a big spread, because underdogs down 10 to 14 often extend the game and push totals over.
Delaware vs Sam Houston Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Sam Houston -12.5. The home edge is real, and Delaware’s road profile makes it hard to trust them to play 40 clean minutes. Sam Houston can cover without needing a perfect shooting night because they can win on the glass and by forcing turnovers into transition points.
On the total, I lean over 143.5. Sam Houston’s pace and scoring output give the over a strong base, and Delaware has enough three-point ability to contribute if the game turns into a possession race. The only real risk to the over is a Delaware scoring drought that’s too long, but the spread suggests Sam Houston is likely to keep scoring regardless.
Best Bet: Sam Houston -12.5 (-111)
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
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For more matchup coverage, use the NCAAB previews hub, and for quick conference-wide comparisons the NCAAB teams hub is the cleanest starting point.
