The Idaho Vandals will play against the Houston Cougars in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. This first-round game in the South Region takes place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK. The game is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 10:10 PM ET and will be broadcast on truT.
Idaho Vandals finished their regular season with a 21-14 overall record and a 13-9 record in the Big Sky Conference. They come into this game with three wins in a row. Their recent victories include a win against Montana Grizzlies, where they scored 77 points, and a win over Eastern Washington Eagles, scoring 81 points.
Houston Cougars, ranked #5 in the AP poll, ended their regular season with a 28-6 overall record and a 16-5 record in the Big 12 Conference. In their recent games, they defeated Kansas Jayhawks by 22 points but lost to Arizona Wildcats by 5 points. Last season, they reached the championship game but lost to Florida.
Houston Preview
The Houston Cougars are ranked #5 in the AP poll. They play in the Big 12 Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they had a strong run. They won against SIUE, Gonzaga, Purdue, Tennessee, and Duke. They reached the championship game but lost to Florida by two points.
In the 2026 regular season, the Cougars have an overall record of 28-6. Their conference record is 16-5. Recent games show mixed results. They lost to Arizona by five points but won against Kansas by 22 points. They also secured a win against BYU by seven points.
The Cougars have some standout players. Kingston Flemings averages 16.4 points per game. Emanuel Sharp scores 15.3 points per game. Joseph Tugler contributes with 8.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Chris Cenac Jr. adds 9.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
Houston’s team stats show strengths and weaknesses. They score 77.1 points per game and have a field goal percentage of 45.0. Their free throw percentage is 77.2, ranking them 52nd. Defensively, they average 7.7 steals and 3.8 blocks per game. Their turnovers per game are 8.3.
Idaho Preview
The Idaho Vandals play in the Big Sky Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 21-14. Their conference record was 13-9.
In recent games, the Vandals won against the Montana Grizzlies, Eastern Washington Eagles, and Montana State Bobcats. They scored 77, 81, and 78 points in these games, respectively. Isaiah Brickner and Kolton Mitchell were top performers in these games.
The Vandals average 78.7 points per game, ranking 128th. They attempt 59.9 field goals per game with a field goal percentage of 44.8. Their three-point shooting is notable, making 10.0 per game, which ranks 56th.
On defense, the Vandals have 5.9 steals and 2.3 blocks per game. They commit 18.2 fouls per game. Their turnovers per game are 10.4, which ranks 364th.
Statistical Breakdown for Houston vs Idaho
The game between the Houston Cougars and Idaho Vandals will be shaped by key stats. Houston’s defense is strong with 7.7 steals per game, while Idaho struggles with turnovers, averaging 10.4 per game. Houston’s free throw percentage of 77.2 is higher than Idaho’s 73.5, which could be important in a close game. Idaho’s three-point shooting, making 10.0 per game, might challenge Houston’s defense. Both teams have similar points per game, with Idaho at 78.7 and Houston at 77.1, indicating a potentially high-scoring game.
- Houston Cougars Points Per Game: 77.1
- Idaho Vandals Points Per Game: 78.7
- Houston Cougars Free Throw Percentage: 77.2
- Idaho Vandals Free Throw Percentage: 73.5
- Houston Cougars Steals Per Game: 7.7
- Idaho Vandals Turnovers Per Game: 10.4
- Idaho Vandals 3PT Made Per Game: 10.0
Betting Insights
The Idaho Vandals and Houston Cougars are set for an exciting game. The Vandals have struggled against the spread, while the Cougars have been strong straight up. Here are the top betting trends to consider for this game.
- Houston is 10-0 straight up in their last 10 games.
- Idaho is 19-12 on the over/under for all games.
- Houston is 18-15-1 against the spread for all games.
- Idaho is 11-12-1 against the spread as an underdog.
- Houston is 29-4 straight up as a favorite.
Free Betting Prediction for Houston vs Idaho
The Houston Cougars are set to play against the Idaho Vandals. Houston has been strong in recent games, with a solid record and key players like Kingston Flemings leading the way. Their defense is also tough, with 7.7 steals per game. Idaho, on the other hand, has struggled with turnovers, which could be a problem against Houston’s defense.
Idaho’s strength lies in their three-point shooting. They make 10.0 per game, which could challenge Houston’s defense. However, Houston’s overall performance and strong free throw shooting give them an edge. The Cougars’ ability to score and defend makes them a tough opponent for the Vandals.
Considering the stats and recent performances, Houston is likely to win this game. Idaho’s turnovers and Houston’s strong defense could be the deciding factors. The Cougars should cover the spread, given their strong record as favorites.
- Our Free Prediction: Houston -23.5
