The California Golden Bears are underdogs in their matchup against the Houston Cougars in the Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic pre-season men’s college basketball tournament, according to the latest odds.

Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic - Cal v. Houston men’s college basketball betting pick, odds and lines: Who is favored to win?

According to data independently collected by Write for California, the latest college basketball betting odds for Cal v. Houston in the Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic is Cal +19.5, as of Sunday morning.

The Cal +19.5 line implies the California Golden Bears are about 20-point underdogs against the Houston Cougars in the Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic pre-season tournament matchup.

Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic - Cal v. Houston men’s college basketball: What you should know

The California Golden Bears are 2-0 to start the 2026-2027 men’s college basketball season, while the Houston Cougars are 1-0.

The Houston Cougars began the season ranked No. 10 in the Associated Press’ pre-season top-25 poll and No. 8 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll. Houston is ranked the same in both polls heading into its game against Cal.

The California Golden Bears have a 3-4 record against the Houston Cougars in a series dating back to 1971. Cal has won the last two meetings, including its most recent meeting, a 95-70 win in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Nov. 20, 1999, as part of the Top of the World Classic basketball tournament.

Earlier this week, Cal beat Radford, 84-70, and kept the Big South program to 47.1% from the board. California guard Nojus Indrusaitis made six three-point shots and completed the night with 30 points.

In its last game, Houston defeated La Salle, cruising to a 94-55 win at home in a foul-heavy game. The Cougars’ season opener saw 46 fouls, including three technicals and one flagrant foul.

Still early for both programs, neither Cal nor Houston have played away from home this season.

According to Vegas Insider, which reports sportsbooks’ offered odds and lines, the Cal v. Houston men’s college basketball line opened earlier this week at about Cal +17.5. The Cal v. Houston total for “over-or-under” total score bets opened at about 145.5 points. The same website reports the Cal v. Houston moneyline opened at about Cal +1200 and Houston -2400.

According to Vegas Insider, 80% of Cal v. Houston men’s college basketball bets with a point spread have been on Houston and 96% of Cal v. Houston moneyline bets have been on the favorites, the Houston Cougars.

Vegas Insider also reports 91% of the dollars wagered on Cal v. Houston with a point spread have been on Houston and 95% of dollars bet on the Cal v. Houston moneyline have been on the favorites, the Houston Cougars.

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Bet responsibly. Odds and betting lines can change. Write for California provides betting information for context and entertainment purposes.

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