Texas Sports Betting

Texas Sports Betting Background

Texas sports betting has not been legalized yet, but Sen. Kolkhorst and Rep. Leach have filed four total sports betting bills that can lead to legalization based on the results of the Nov. 2023 ballot. The Texas Sports Betting Alliance is fully supporting these bills in hopes of legalized sports betting to become a reality in the Lone Star State. Texas remains one of the many states that still prohibit commercial casinos. Three tribal casinos operate in the state.

Past support from Texas' professional sports teams and its owners, including the Dallas Cowboys' Jerry Jones and Dallas Mavericks' Mark Cuban leads to the expectation that there will continual support towards legalization this year. With pro sports teams backing the movement and multiple bills filed for the legislature to vote on, there remains a chance.

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Texas' Legalization Timeline

It's still a process to get sports betting to the goal line. We'll bet you care more about the sports of it all than the legal history, but here are some of the important events along the way:

April 2023

• Two gambling proposals have been presented by a House Committee in the Lone Star State. Sports betting legalization is still a long way from being legalized in Texas.  [April 3]

February 2023

• Senator Lois Kolkhorst and Representative Jeff Leach filed four online sports betting bills. Sen. Kolkhorst filed SB 715 SJR 39 and Rep. Leach filed HB 1942 HJR 102 with full support from the Texas Sports Betting Alliance. This is a major step towards sports betting legalization in Texas in 2023. [Feb. 6]

May 2021

• All casino and sports bills die in Texas. All four bills are officially dead as they didn’t receive a vote or a hearing before Texas’ legislative session adjourns. [Action Network, May 31]

April 2021

• Las Vegas Sands begins a considerable advertising campaign supporting HJR 133. They hope to bolster public support to pressure lawmakers to pass this bill. [Texas Tribune, April 14]

March 2021

• A bipartisan bill is introduced House Joint Resolution 133. This bill would allow four casinos to open in Texas. This bill would require a two-thirds vote to overturn the current gaming ban before Texans decide on the ballot. [HJR 133, March 9]

February 2021

• Rep. Dan Huberty introduces sports betting bill 2070 and a constitutional amendment for sports betting. These bills, House Bill 2070 and House Joint Resolution 97, are bipartisan and cause a bit of excitement among sports and better enthusiasts. [TX HB2070, HJR 97, Feb. 23]
• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick does not support legalized sports betting. He clarifies his stance, saying that sports betting and legalized gambling won't “see the light of day” in Texas while interviewing on the Chad Hasty Show. [Chad Hasty Show, Feb. 9]
• The Sports Betting Alliance is formed. Texan sports teams formed a Sports Betting Alliance coalition to pressure Texan lawmakers to legalize sports betting in the Lone Star State. These teams include the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Stars, the Dallas Mavericks, FC Dallas, the Houston Texans, the Houston Astros, the Texas Rangers, and more. They’re partnered with big platforms such as BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and more. [Sports Betting Alliance, Feb. 8]

January 2021

• Rep. Harold Dutton introduces a sports betting bill. Dutton introduces Bill 1121 to the Texas House. [TX HB1121, Jan. 14]

November 2020

• Las Vegas Sands Corp. hires a powerhouse team of lobbyists. This signals a potential push to open the first casinos in the Lone State, the largest state without full-scale commercial gambling. [Texas Casino Update, Nov. 25]

Texas Sports Betting Grading Card

Mobile sports betting in Texas has a long way to go. There is currently a bill attempting to pass through legislation, but it is unknown if it will pass before the legislative session ends.

Sports betting bill analysis TBD.

Pro Sports Teams

Texas has eight professional sports teams in the "Big 4" sports leagues, fourth-most in the U.S. They also have two pro soccer teams and a WNBA and a rabid high school football fanbase, making this state one of the best for sports fans. These franchises are spread out across multiple cities in Texas, with the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex being home to six of them.

NFL Betting in Texas

Dallas Cowboys | Dallas Cowboys Odds

The Dallas Cowboys joined the NFL in 1960 and quickly grew a rabid fanbase, holding the record for consecutive sell-outs. Nicknamed "America's Team," the Cowboys have eight NFC Championships and five Super Bowls, which rank first and third, respectively. Since joining the NFL, Dallas has been the epitome of success and currently holds the record for consecutive winning seasons (20). Their last Super Bowl came in 1995, a 27-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on the back of Emmitt Smith's two touchdowns.

The Cowboys compete in the NFC East and play their home games at AT&T Stadium. They are owned and managed by the infamous Jerry Jones and are coached by Mike McCarthy, who will begin his second season at the helm in 2021.

Houston Texans | Houston Texans Odds

The newest expansion team in the NFL, the Houston Texans, have competed in the AFC South since 2002. Though they are the only team never to have appeared in a conference championship, the Texans have won six division titles in less than 20 years.

The team is in current disarray with 2021 offseason reports that franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson requested a trade after the hiring of GM Nick Caserio. The Texans have also brought on newly-hired head coach David Culley, who joins the team from Baltimore. Houston plays its home games at NRG Stadium.

A recommended resource to help you bet on football in Texas:

• How to Bet on Football Guide

NBA Betting in Texas

Dallas Mavericks | Dallas Mavericks Odds

The Dallas Mavericks joined the NBA in 1980 and became a perennial playoff contender within four years. The Mavericks would make five consecutive playoff appearances, never making it out of the Western Conference. It wouldn't be until 2000 that the team re-established itself as a premier contender under head coach Don Nelson. On the back of Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas made 12 straight playoff appearances, including its lone championship, a six-game series win over LeBron James and the Miami Heat in 2011.

Another European superstar now leads the Mavericks in Luka Doncic. They are coached by Rick Carlisle, who brought Dallas its lone championship and has been at the helm since 2008. Dallas competes in the Southwest Division and plays its home games at American Airlines Center, which they share with the NHL's Dallas Stars.

Houston Rockets | Houston Rockets Odds

The Houston Rockets' origin can be traced back to 1967, joining the NBA as the San Diego Rockets. They would relocate to Houston four years later. A decade would pass by before the Rockets' first-ever season above .500, but they made a conference finals run that same year.

Houston has won two championships in franchise history, coming back-to-back in 1994-95 under head coach Rudy Tomjanovich. That was the height of the Rockets' franchise, with Hakeem Olajuwon leading the way. The team would bolster its rotation with the addition of Clyde Drexler after its first championship, making quick work of the Magic in a four-game sweep in 1995.

First-year head coach Stephen Silas currently leads the Rockets. He last was an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks. Since trading star James Harden at the beginning of the season, the Rockets have struggled tremendously. Houston competes in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference and plays its home games at the Toyota Center.

San Antonio Spurs | San Antonio Spurs Odds

The San Antonio Spurs have long been the standard for excellence in the NBA and are five-time NBA Champions. All five have come under the reign of future Hall of Fame head coach Gregg Popovich and star power forward Tim Duncan. Their last championship came in 2014, a dominant 4-1 series win over LeBron James and the Miami Heat. It was the beginning of Kawhi Leonard's quick ascent to stardom, winning MVP of the NBA Finals.

The Spurs originally started in the American Basketball Association (ABA) in Dallas in 1967. They would move to San Antonio three years later, where they would remain ever since, even though the 1976 ABA-NBA merger.

Popovich remains the head coach of the Spurs and is in his 25th season with the team. The Spurs compete in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference and play home games at AT&T Center.

A recommended resource to help you bet smartly on basketball in Texas:

• How to Bet on Basketball Guide

MLB Betting in Texas

Houston Astros | Houston Astros Odds

The Houston Astros began to play in the National League in 1962 as an expansion team under the name Colt .45s. Three years later, they would become the Astros and move into the infamous Astrodome, the first-ever domed sports stadium. Houston would move to the American League in 2013 and win its lone World Series four years later (2017).

The Astros are a part of the biggest MLB scandal of the 21st century after being caught using cameras and video monitors to steal opposing catchers' signs during the 2017 season and postseason. Houston would then relay the signals to hitters through loud bangs inside the dugout.

Dusty Baker was hired to replace then-manager A.J. Hinch, who was fired due to the scandal, in 2020. He led the Astros to a Wild Card berth and its fourth consecutive American League Championship Series. The Astros compete in the AL West and play their home games at Minute Maid Park.

Texas Rangers | Texas Rangers Odds

The origins of the Texas Rangers can be traced back to 1961, when the franchise joined MLB as the Washington Senators. One decade later, the Senators would move to Arlington and become the Texas Rangers. Despite making back-to-back World Series in 2010-11, the Rangers could not bring home a championship. Their last playoff appearance came in 2016.

The Rangers have hit a rough stretch since, failing to finish above .500 each season and often ending at the bottom of the American League West. Texas moved to the brand-new Globe Life Field in 2020 but could not showcase it to fans in the regular season due to COVID-19. The stadium would host the NLCS and World Series, which MLB allowed a limited attendance for. Chris Woodward manages them.

A recommended resource to help you bet smartly on baseball in Texas:

• How to Bet on Baseball Guide

NHL Betting in Texas

Dallas Stars | Dallas Stars Odds

The Dallas Stars were introduced as an expansion team for the 1967 season, initially competing as the Minnesota North Stars. They would relocate to Dallas at the start of the 1993 season. The height of the Stars' success came at the end of the 1990s, where the franchise won back-to-back Presidents' Trophies and the 1999 Stanley Cup. Their most recent playoff appearance came in 2020, a Stanley Cup Finals loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Stars currently play their home games at American Airlines Center and are coached by Rick Bowness, who led the team to the finals in his first-ever season. They are led by captain Jamie Benn and center Joe Pavelski.

Dallas Stars Rivalry: vs. St. Louis Blues. The Stars don't have a clear-cut rival, but both they and the Blues joined the NHL together as expansion teams in 1967. They have played one another 14 separate times in the playoffs — five Game 7s — with the Blues holding an 8-6 all-time series lead. Dallas has played no opponent more than the Blues and will soon hit 300 total games.

Soccer Betting in Texas

FC Dallas

One of the original franchises from MLS's inaugural season in 1996, the franchise was initially named the Dallas Burn. They would switch to FC Dallas in 2004. They have never won the MLS Cup but have taken home a Supports' Shield — a best regular-season record — and two U.S. Open Cups.

FC Dallas is owned by the Hunt family, who also own the Kansas City Chiefs. The soccer club is coached by Luchi Gonzalez and plays home games at Toyota Stadium in Frisco.

Houston Dynamo FC

Houston Dynamo FC joined as an expansion team in 2006 and instantly found success in the MLS. The Dynamo won the MLS Cup in its inaugural season and would go back-to-back in 2007. Though the soccer club hasn't won since Houston was able to reach the finals twice more and win the U.S. Open Cup in 2018.

The Dynamo is owned by a group of five, including NBA All-Star James Harden and infamous boxer Oscar De La Hoya. The club is led by head coach Tab Ramos and plays its home games at BBVA Stadium.

Texas Derby — FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo 

This is the annual matchup between FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo, where both clubs play for El Capitán. The series' first matchup came in 2006, and the two played three games during the year to determine the winner. The Dynamo dominated early, but FC Dallas has won three straight and six of the last eight series. Since 2013, Dallas has been 10-3-8. These two teams have also met twice in the MLS Playoffs, splitting the games.

Austin FC

Austin FC will join MLS as the league's 27th franchise in 2021. The soccer club is coached by Josh Wolff and will play its home games at Q2 Stadium.

A recommended resource to help you bet smartly on hockey in Texas:

• How to Bet on Soccer Guide

WNBA Betting in Texas

Dallas Wings

The Dallas Wings have relocated twice since its founding in 1998, originally introduced as the Detroit Shock. The franchise would move to Tulsa in 2010 before rebranding and moving to Dallas as the Wings in 2016. The Wings have never won since leaving Detroit, but they have three championships and made three consecutive final appearances from 2006-to 08.

The Wings have hit a rough stretch over the last decade, making the playoffs just three times since 2020. They are coached by Vickie Johnson in her first season at the helm, and play home games at College Park Center in Arlington.

A recommended resource to help you bet on basketball in Texas:

• How to Bet on Basketball Guide

College Sports Teams

24 colleges in Texas that field Division I athletic programs, and no school is more popular than the Texas Longhorns. The football program has a storied history and is the most successful athletics program in the Lone Star State. Texas fields four programs in college basketball that often find themselves in or around the top-25 annually.

College Football Betting in Texas

Texas Longhorns Football | Texas Longhorns Odds

One of the most historic college football programs, Texas ranks fourth all-time in wins and is tied for second with 57 bowl game appearances. Since their inaugural season in 1893, the Longhorns have been a dominant force, taking in 32 conference titles.

Texas claims four National Championships, the latest coming in the infamous 2006 Rose Bowl, where Vince Young scrambled eight yards for the game-winning touchdown in the final minute of the game. Texas snapped USC's 34-game win streak.

The Longhorns compete in the Big 12 Conference and play their home games at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on campus in Austin, Texas. It is the eighth-largest stadium in college football, with a capacity of 100,119. Texas is led by first-year head coach Steve Sarkisian, who won the 2020 National Championship as offensive coordinator of Alabama.

Texas A&M Aggies Football | Texas A&M Aggies Odds

The second-most successful college football program out of Texas, the Aggies have three claimed national titles and 18 conference championships in their 127-year history. Unlike the other Power 5 schools in the state, Texas A&M competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), moving from the Big 12 in 2012.

The Aggies have produced two Heisman winners, including Johnny Manziel, and have competed in 44 bowl games. Since Jimbo Fisher was named head coach in 2018, the Aggies are 26-10, including a New Year's Six wins over North Carolina in the Orange Bowl in 2020. Texas A&M plays its home games at Kyle Field on campus, the fourth-largest stadium with a capacity of 102,733.

Texas Tech Red Raiders Football | Texas Tech Red Raiders Odds

Though not as successful as their in-state rival, Texas, the Red Raiders have produced 11 conference titles and an all-time winning percentage of .552 since their inaugural season in 1925. Texas Tech's height came under Mike Leach in the 2000s, when he took the team to nine bowl games and became the winningest head coach in program history.

Texas Tech plays its home games at Jones AT&T Stadium on campus in Lubbock. A member of the Big 12 Conference, the Red Raiders are coached by Matt Wells.

Baylor Bears Football | Baylor Bears Odds

Baylor football has experienced its fair share of ups and downs, with its best decades in the 1980s and 2010s. But it was the latter, as members of the Big 12 Conference when Baylor became a national powerhouse under Art Briles and star quarterback Robert Griffin III.

RGIII is the only Heisman winner in Baylor Bears history, leading the team to back-to-back bowl games for the first time in 20 years. Baylor would continue its success after Griffin III's departure for the NFL, winning its only two Big 12 Conference championships in program history.

Baylor plays its home games at McLane Stadium and is led by Dave Aranda in his first stint as head coach in college football.

TCU Horned Frogs Football | Horned Frogs Odds

TCU football is among the more successful Power 5 schools — though most of their postseason success came before joining the Big 12 — winning 18 conference titles and two National Championships (1935, 1938). TCU plays its home games at Amon G. Carter Stadium and is coached by Gary Patterson, the winningest head coach in Horned Frogs history.

Since Patterson took over as head coach in 2001, TCU has seen success in all three conferences it's competed in Conference USA, Mountain West, and Big 12. Not only is Patterson 172-70 as head coach of the Horned Frogs, but he led them to an undefeated season in 2010, 11 double-digit winning seasons in his 20 years, and an 11-6 record in bowl games.

Houston Cougars Football | Houston Cougars Odds

Since 2003, Houston football has found plenty of success despite taking home just two conference championships. The Cougars have won six division championships — four in Conference USA and two out of the American Athletic Conference — and have competed in 14 bowl games. The height of their success came under Tom Herman, who went 22-4 in his two years as head coach, including Houston's first-ever American Conference championship. The Cougars play their home games at TDECU Stadium and are coached by Dana Holgorsen.

SMU Mustangs Football | SMU Mustangs Odds

SMU claims three national titles and has won 11 conference championships, the most successful mid-major franchise in Texas. Its last came in 1982, a 7-3 win over Pittsburgh: Eric Dickerson ran for 124 yards while quarterback Lance McIlhenny's fourth-quarter nine-yard touchdown run gave SMU the win.

The Mustangs joined the American Athletic Conference in 2013, and while they haven't won a conference championship, they're a combined 17-6 over the last two seasons under head coach Sonny Dykes. SMU plays its home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on campus at University Park in Dallas.

North Texas Mean Green Football |North Texas Mean Green Odds

North Texas' inaugural season came in 1913, but it bounced around the Division I and Division I-AA levels until 1995. After five years in the Big West, the Mean Green joined the Sun Belt Conference in 2001, winning four consecutive conference championships.

The Mean Green once again moved conferences to Conference USA for the 2013-14 season. Though North Texas has made five bowl games since — including four in the last five years — it has yet to win a conference championship. They are coached by Seth Littrell and play home games at Apogee Stadium.

Rice Owls Football | Rice Owls Odds

Rice football was established in 1912 and has won eight conference titles, the latest coming in 2013 as a member of Conference USA. The Owls have struggled tremendously over the last 50 years, as no coach outside of Todd Graham (one season at the helm in 2006) has finished with an above-.500 record. Despite his 57-80 record, David Bailiff took the Owls to three bowl wins in four games and a conference championship. The Owls play their home games at Rice Stadium and are coached by Mike Bloomgren.

Texas State Bobcats Football | Texas State Bobcats Odds

Texas State is the newest Division I FBS program in Texas, joining the Western Athletic Conference in 2012. The Bobcats jumped to the Sun Belt Conference a year later and, in their nine-year tenure at the FBS level, have finished just once above .500. Texas State plays its home games at Bobcats Stadium and is coached by Jake Spavital.

UTSA Roadrunners Football | USTA Roadrunners Odds

Founded in 2011 and currently the newest program in Texas college football, UTSA followed a similar path as rival Texas State. The Roadrunners played their inaugural season in 2011 as an independent before joining the WAC for one season. They hopped to Conference USA instead of the Sun Belt like their rivals. UTSA has been to two bowl games in its short stint as a program but lost both. The Roadrunners are coached by Jeff Traylor, who led the team to a 7-5 season his first year at the helm. They play their home games at the Alamodome in downtown San Antonio.

UTEP Miners Football | UTEP Miners Odds

UTEP football, formerly known as Texas Western, has struggled over the last decade, putting together just one winning season. The Miners have two conference titles — one as part of the Borderline Conference in 1956 and another in the Western Athletic Conference in 2000 — and have been to 14 bowl games. UTEP now competes in Conference USA and is coached by Dana Dimel. They play their home games at the Sun Bowl on campus in El Paso.

Recommended resources to help you bet smartly on college football in Texas:

• College Football Returning Production & Transfer Grades
• College Football Betting Tips on Fading the Public

College Basketball Betting in Texas

Texas Longhorns Men's Basketball | Texas Longhorns Odds

Established in 1906, Texas basketball ranks top-20 in all-time wins and has won 27 regular-season conference championships. Yet, it has never won a national title. In 35 total NCAA Tournament appearances, the Longhorns have made the Elite Eight seven times and the Final Four on three occasions. They are the defending National Invitation Tournament (NIT) champions.

Texas competes in the Big 12 Conference and is led by a new head coach Chris Beard. The Longhorns play their home games at the Frank Erwin Center on campus, the largest stadium in the conference with a capacity of 16,734.

Texas Tech Red Raiders Men's Basketball | Texas Tech Red Raiders Odds

Texas Tech basketball has had its ups and downs, but when Chris Beard took over in 2016, the Red Raiders became one of the top teams in the Big 12 year in and year out. Beard had the best winning percentage in program history and led the Red Raiders to its first-ever Elite Eight in 2018 and a National Championship appearance a year later. Unfortunately for Red Raider fans, Beard left the program in 2021 to become the head coach at rival Texas. Teach Mark Adams now lead Tech.

Texas Tech has made 18 NCAA Tournament appearances and has won 12 regular-season conference championships. The Red Raiders compete in the Big 12 Conference and play their home games at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock.

Baylor Bears Men's Basketball | Baylor Bears Odds

Securing its first-ever Big 12 regular-season championship, Baylor basketball capped off a magical season with a dismantling of Gonzaga in the 2021 national championship game. The Bears have slowly become contenders in the NCAA Tournament under longtime head coach Scott Drew, making the postseason all but once since 2012.

Baylor did make the NCAA Tournament championship in 1948, a loss to Kentucky, but has yet to make a return since. Drew is in his 18th year as head coach of the Bears and is the winningest head coach in program history. Baylor plays its home games at the Ferrell Center on campus in Waco.

Houston Cougars Men's Basketball | Houston Cougars Odds

The height of Houston basketball came in the early 1980s with its "Phi Slama Jama" squad led by Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. The Cougars made three straight Final Fours from 1982-84 and back-to-back National Championship appearances in the latter two seasons. They lost both games.

Houston largely struggled over the next 2.5 decades until Kelvin Sampson was named head coach in 2014. The Cougars turned into a powerhouse in the American Athletic Conference four years later. They have won three straight conference championships from 2019-2021 and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the 22nd time in program history in 2021. Houston plays its home games at the Fertitta Center on campus.

Texas A&M Aggies Men's Basketball | Texas A&M Aggies Odds

Texas A&M basketball's dominant era came from 2006-to 11 when the Aggies made six consecutive NCAA Tournaments. However since joining the SEC Conference, they haven't experienced similar success. Though A&M has never made it to the Elite Eight in program history, the program has six Sweet 16 appearances, their last coming in 2018, an eventual loss to third-seeded Michigan. The Aggies are coached by Buzz Williams, now in his second season at the helm, and play home games at Reed Arena.

TCU Horned Frogs Men's Basketball | TCU Horned Frogs Odds

The Horned Frogs have struggled to break through the gauntlet of the Big 12, failing to win a conference championship since joining in 2012. But since the hiring of head coach Jamie Dixon, TCU won the National Invitation Tournament in 2017 and secured its first NCAA Tournament berth in 20 seasons. The Horned Frogs play its home games at Schollmaier Arena.

SMU Mustangs Men's Basketball | SMU Mustangs Odds

SMU basketball competes in the American Athletic Conference but was most successful as part of the Southwest Conference in the mid-1950s through the 1960s. That's where the Mustangs took home eight conference championships and made their lone Final Four appearance in 1956. The Mustangs last made the NCAA Tournament in 2017, current head coach Tim Jankovich's first official year at the helm. His team finished 30-5, setting a program record for wins in a single season. SMU currently plays its home games at Moody Coliseum.

Rice Owls Men's Basketball | Rice Owls Odds

Rice basketball has struggled mainly over the last 60 years as no head coach has finished their tenure with a record above .500 since Don Suman left Rice in 1959. The Owls' last NCAA Tournament appearance came in 1970, an eventual Round of 64 exits to New Mexico State. Rice plays its home games at Tudor Fieldhouse and is coached by Scott Pera in his fourth season. Pera has slowly turned the program around and is 24-20 over the last two years.

North Texas Mean Green Men's Basketball | North Texas Mean Green Odds

North Texas joined Conference USA in 2013 where the program has slowly become one of the brutes under head coach Grant McCasland. Since he's taken over, North Texas has never finished below .500. The Mean Green secured the 2020 conference championship and seemed primed to make its first postseason appearance in a decade, only for COVID-19 to shut down any chance. Before C-USA, the Mean Green competed in the Sun Belt, making two of their three NCAA Tournament appearances. North Texas plays its home games at The Super Pit on campus in Denton.

Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks Men's Basketball | Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks Odds

One of the mid-major teams long dominated the Southland Conference, Stephen F. Austin, is no stranger to March Madness. The Lumberjacks have made four NCAA Tournament appearances since 2014, twice pulling off major first-round upsets. Most notable is that 2014 upset over No. 5-seeded VCU, where Desmond Haymon was fouled on a three and converted a four-point play with under four seconds left to force overtime. SFA would go on to win, 77-75. The Lumberjacks play their home games at William R. Johnson Coliseum and are led by fifth-year head coach Kyle Keller.

UTEP Miners Men's Basketball | UTEP Miners Odds

Formerly known as Texas Western, the UTEP Miners have struggled in recent years but are arguably the most successful mid-major programs in Texas. The Miners have made 17 NCAA Tournament appearances and are 1966 champions. UTEP fielded the first all-black starting lineup in a title game against Kentucky's all-white roster, the inspiration for the 2006 film "Glory Road." The Miners haven't returned to the NCAA Tournament since 2010. They are coached by Rodney Terry and play home games at the Don Haskins Center.

UT Arlington Mavericks Men's Basketball | UT Arlington Mavericks Odds

UT Arlington competes in the Sun Belt Conference and, despite winning the regular-season conference championship in 2017, fell short of an NCAA Tournament berth. The Mavericks' lone postseason appearance came in 2008 as a 16-seed. They are coached by Chris Ogden, who won Sun Belt Coach of the Year in his first season at the helm in 2018-19 after leading the Mavericks to a 17-16 record,  12-6 in conference play. UT Arlington plays its home games at College Park Center.

Abilene Christian Wildcats Men's Basketball | Abilene Christian Wildcats Odds

After a 40-year stint in Division II, Abilene Christian rejoined Division I, becoming part of the Southland Conference for the 2013-14 season. After adjusting to its new conference, Abilene Christian slowly found success under longtime head coach Joe Golding after a few years of adjusting to its new conference. In 2019, the Wildcats went 27-7 and made its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Golding is in his eighth season at the helm for the Wildcats, who play their games on campus at Moody Coliseum — yes, the same name as SMU's home stadium, but a different venue.

Texas State Bobcats Men's Basketball | Texas State Bobcats Odds

Texas State basketball joined the Sun Belt Conference in 2013 and secured its first-ever conference regular-season championship in 2021. The Bobcats will look to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1997 and third overall. Texas State's Danny Kasper resigned as head coach midseason after being investigated for racially insensitive remarks; Terrence Johnson is the current interim head coach. The Bobcats play their home games at Strahan Arena.

Texas Southern Tigers Men's Basketball | Texas Southern Tigers Odds

Texas Southern competes in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, consisting of historically black colleges and universities. The Tigers have made eight NCAA Tournament appearances, all coming from 1990 on, their last coming in 2018. They could down North Carolina Central in the First Four before falling to Xavier in the following round. Texas Southern's most successful stretch came under then-head coach Mike Davis, leading the team to four NCAA Tournament berths in six seasons. The Tigers are now coached by Johnny Jones and play their home games at the Health and Physical Education Arena.

Lamar Cardinals Men's Basketball | Lamar Cardinals Odds

Lamar basketball began its transition to Division I in 1964, but it wouldn't be until the Cardinals officially joined the Southland Conference four years later. The program's height came in five years from 1979-to 1983, as Lamar made four NCAA Tournament appearances — winning their Round of 64 games every time — and even made a Sweet 16 run with wins over Weber State and Oregon State in 1980. The Cardinals' last postseason showing came in 2012. They are coached by Tic Price and play home games at the Montagne Center.

Prairie View A&M Panthers Men's Basketball | Prairie View A&M Panthers Odds

Like Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M is part of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and an HBCU. The Panthers have become the brutes of the conference, winning two straight SWAC championships with a chance to win its third consecutive in 2021. Prairie View A&M has made two NCAA Tournament appearances — in 1998 and 2019 — and is coached by Byron Smith. The Panthers play home games at William J. Nicks Building.

UTSA Roadrunners Men's Basketball | USTA Roadrunners Odds

UTSA's inaugural season came in 1981 and has bounced around four conferences in its 30 years as a program. The Roadrunners have made four NCAA Tournament appearances, once each decade. Their last came in 2011 with a First Four win over Alabama State before a Round of 64 loss to Ohio State. UTSA currently competes in Conference USA, is coached by Steve Henson, and plays home games at the Convocation Center.

Sam Houston State Bearkats Men's Basketball | Sam Houston State Bearkats Odds

Sam Houston State competes in the Southland Conference but will move to the Western Athletic Conference in July 2022. The Bearkats completed its transition to Division I in 1987 and made its first of two NCAA Tournament appearances in 2003. Sam Houston State is coached by Jason Hooten and plays home games at Bernard Johnson Coliseum.

Houston Baptist Huskies Men's Basketball | Houston Baptist Huskies Odds

Houston Baptist initially competed as a NCAA Division I basketball member before moving to the NAIA in 1989. They would transition back in 2007-08 and now compete in the Southland Conference. The Huskies have one NCAA Tournament appearance — 1984 — but have yet to win a conference championship since their return to Division I. Houston Baptist is coached by longtime head coach Ron Cottrell, in his 30th year at the helm, and plays home games at Sharp Gymnasium.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders Men's Basketball | Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders Odds

In its first season as a member of the Southland Conference in 2006-07, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi made the NCAA Tournament. Since then, the Islanders have yet to return to March Madness, though they did make the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) four consecutive years from 2014-to 17. Willis Wilson is in his 10th year as head coach of the Islanders, who play home games at American Bank Center.

Incarnate Word Cardinals Men's Basketball | Incarnate Word Cardinals Odds

Incarnate Word made the jump to Division I in the 2013 season. Despite their 21-6 record in its first season as part of the Southland Conference, it was ineligible for postseason play until 2018 (as part of the DII to DI transfer). The Cardinals have struggled in recent years and haven't finished above .500 in the last five seasons. Incarnate Word has three NCAA Tournament appearances at the DII level. The Cardinals are coached by Carson Cunningham and play home games at McDermott Convocation Center.

Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Men's Basketball | Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Odds

Texas-Rio Grande Valley transitioned to Division I for the 1968-69 season and has struggled for the most part since. The Vaqueros have yet to make a postseason appearance and currently compete in the Western Athletic Conference. They are led by interim head coach Jai Steadman and play home games at UTRGV Fieldhouse.

Tarleton State Texans Men's Basketball | Tarleton State Texans

Tarleton State competes in the Western Athletic Conference, making their debut at the Division I level for the 2020-21 season. The Texans have found great success at the Division II level, making 14 tournament appearances, including eight straight from 2010-to 17. The Tarleton State finished 10-10 with a 5-7 record in WAC play in their inaugural season. The team is coached by two-time Big 12 Coach of the Year Billy Gillespie and plays home games at Wisdom Gym. There is no current rival for the Texans because they are in their first-ever season at the DI level.

Recommended resources to help you bet smartly on college basketball in Texas:

• How to Bet on College Basketball
• Trends to Know Before Betting Conference Tournaments

Other Events

Texas has a few notable events that extend beyond its in-state teams for sports fans and bettors alike to enjoy, including:

Big 12 Football Championship

The two teams with the best conference records in the Big 12 square off at AT&T Stadium each season. Often, one of the teams is playing for a spot in the College Football Playoffs. The championship game is sponsored by Dr. Pepper and is broadcast on ABC. Oklahoma has won the most Big 12 Championships and is the defending champion entering 2021.

The Cotton Bowl

This is an NCAA-certified college football game that has been held annually since 1937. The Cotton Bowl is sponsored by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and is a New Year's Six Bowl held at AT&T Stadium. Every three years it serves as a semifinal for the College Football Playoffs. Oklahoma won the 2020 Cotton Bowl, blowing out Florida, 55-20.

The Sun Bowl

The Sun Bowl is an NCAA-certified college football game held annually since 1935 in El Paso. This game is sponsored by Kellogg's and is referred to as Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Since 2011, this postseason game includes a team from the Pac-12 and Atlantic Coast Conference. The 2020 Sun Bowl was canceled due to COVID-19, leaving Arizona State as defending champions after a 20-14 win over Florida State.

The Alamo Bowl

Held annually since 1993, the Alamo Bowl features a team from the Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences. This bowl game has been sponsored by Valero Energy Corporation since 2007 and is played in the Alamodome in San Antonio. The Longhorns are two-time defending champs in this bowl game after defeating Colorado, 55-23, in 2020.

The Armed Forces Bowl 

The Armed Forces Bowl is an NCAA-certified college football game that has been played annually in the postseason since 2013. This is sponsored by Lockheed Martin and is held at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Mississippi State won the 2020 event in a 28-26 win over Tulsa.

The Texas Bowl

This postseason event has been held annually since 2006 and includes a Big 12 and SEC conferences team. The Texas Bowl is newly sponsored by Mercari and takes place at NRG Stadium in Houston. The 2020 bowl game was canceled due to COVID-19, leaving Texas A&M as defending champions in a 24-21 win over Oklahoma State.

The First Responder Bowl

This is an NCAA-certified college football game held annually in the postseason since 2011. Servpro sponsors the First Responder Bowl and now includes tie-ins with the ACC, Big 12, and Conference USA, with the American serving as an alternate. Louisiana took home the 2020 bowl game in a 31-24 win over UTSA.

The Frisco Bowl

The newest postseason event in college football, the Frisco Bowl, has been held annually since 2017. The Frisco Bowl includes a team from the American if the conference doesn't send a team to the New Year's Six and is sponsored by Tropical Smoothie Cafe. The 2020 matchup was postponed due to COVID-19, leaving Kent State as defending champs in a 51-41 win over Utah State.

Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500

Part of the NASCAR cup series, the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 is an annual race held at Texas Motor Speedway. Kyle Busch won the 2020 race, which consists of 334 laps for a total of 501 miles.

WGC Match Play

Since 2016, the WGC Match Play has been held annually at the Austin Country Club. The course stretches 7,108 yards with a par of 71. The event was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 leaving Kevin Kisner as the defending champion. The prize fund for this event is $10.5 million.

Houston Open

The Houston Open is held at Memorial Park Municipal Golf Course and has taken place since 1946. The course stretches across 7,432 yards with a par of 70. Carlos Ortiz took home the 2020 event, edging out Dustin Johnson and Hideki Matsuyama by two strokes. The prize fund for this event is $7.0 million.

Texas Open 

The Texas Open is an annual event held at The Oaks Course in San Antonio. It has been sponsored by Valero Energy Corporation since 2002 and is managed by the Wasserman Media Group. The course stretches 7,435 yards with a par of 72. The 2020 event was canceled due to COVID-19, leaving Corey Conners as the defending champion. The prize fund for this event is $7.5 million.

Byron Nelson Classic 

Established in 1944, the Byron Nelson Classic will move to McKinney's TPC Craig Ranch course for the 2021 event. The event is sponsored by AT&T and includes a prize fund of $7.9 million. Since its cancellation in 2020 due to COVID-19, Kang Sung-hoon remains the defending champion.

Colonial National Invitational

The Colonial National Invitational, the Charles Schwab Challenge, is an annual event held at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth. Its inaugural event came in 1946. The course spans 7,209 yards with a par of 70. Daniel Berger is the defending champion after defeating Collin Morikawa in a playoff. The prize fund for this event is $7.5 million.

More Reading on Texas

To supplement Action, you can find additional sports news coverage at the Houston Chronicle, The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and San Antonio Express-News.