Idaho Vandals vs Houston Cougars Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/19/2026

Game Time: 10:10 pm ET, Thursday, March 19, 2026

Venue:  Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK 

Where to Watch:  truTV

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Idaho +24.5, Houston -24.5; Over/Under:  135.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Idaho +24.5, Houston -24.5; Over/Under:  135.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Idaho +23.5, Houston -23.5; Over/Under:  135.5 points

Idaho Vandals:  21-14 (9-9) (7th place, Big Sky)

Houston Cougars:  28-6 (14-4) (2nd place, Big 12)

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Idaho Vandals:  5-0  last 5

Houston Cougars:  4-1  last 5

Idaho is entering this game with a 21-14 record overall, a 9-9 record in conference games, and they are 5-1 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Montana Grizzlies in their last game. Isaiah Brickner led the team in points in that game with 23 while Brody Rowbury was next on the team with 12. Kolton Mitchell led the team in assists with 3 in that game while Isaiah Brickner led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 40.7% from the field, 23.8% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 78.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 72.6 PPG against them. Idaho has an ATS record of 16-16 this season and their O/U record is 14-18.

Houston is entering this game with a 28-6 record overall, a 14-4 conference record, and they are 7-2 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Arizona Wildcats in their last game. Joseph Tugler led the team in points in that game with 20 while Mercy Miller was next on the team with 13. Kingston Flemings led the team in assists with 7 in that game while Joseph Tugler led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 43.8% from the field, 38.1% from 3-point range, and 71.4% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 77.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 62.9 PPG against them. Houston has an ATS record of 16-18 this season and their O/U record is 14-20.

The current betting odds have Houston listed as a 24.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Houston has looked really good in their games this season with their 28-6 record overall and their 14-4 conference record which had them right near the top of the Big 12. They have looked great in their neutral site games this season too with their 7-2 record in those. Meanwhile, Idaho has looked good in their games this season with their 21-14 record overall, but their 9-9 conference record had them in the bottom half of the Big Sky. They have looked great in their neutral site games this year with their 5-1 record in those. Idaho has been rolling lately, going on a run in their conference and winning the conference tournament even though they weren't nearly close to being the best team in the conference. They stole this big from multiple other teams in the Big Sky, but they are the team that is here and they aren't going to make it very far. Houston is off a loss in the Big 12 Tournament to Arizona who has been one of the best teams in the nation all season, but they are still 4-1 in their last 5 games and have been one of the best teams in the best conference all season. They have one of the best defenses in the nation too so this isn't going to be a game that Idaho puts up a lot of points in and Houston will have no trouble pulling away throughout the game. Look for Houston to bounce back in the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament and roll over an inferior team. The best way to place a bet here is on Houston to cover the spread in this game. 

Idaho Houston Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Thursday, March 19, 2026 (10:10 pm ET start time) is Houston 72 Idaho 40.

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Idaho Vandals: 23-33 ATS as an underdog. 8-16 ATS off a win against a conference rival. 2-5 ATS versus good defensive teams - allowing 64 points/game or less. 18-7 UNDER off a win against a conference rival. 

Houston Cougars: 36-24 ATS as a favorite of 10 or more points. 34-26 ATS when the total is 130 to 139.5. 31-25 ATS vs. good free throw shooting teams - making 72% of their attempts or more. 40-21 UNDER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 

Idaho Vandals:  None.

Houston Cougars:  K. Jefferson (G) Out - Knee. B. Jackson (G) Out - Redshirt.

“I say it a lot, but I really love this team, and I’ve felt this way from the start. I’ve been around and a part of a lot of basketball teams, and sometimes you just have this sense, like the internal leadership, the day-to-day process, the joy the guys play the game with, the competitiveness.” - Alex Pribble on his team making the NCAA Tournament as a 15 seed.

"JoJo (Tugler) is consistent every single game. Me and Chris (Cenac) this game - we didn't even show up honestly. Three of the five starters did. But me and Chris really didn't...You've got to be consistent." - Kingston Flemings after their loss against Arizona in the Big 12 Tournament. 

B. Johnson 

K. Mitchell 

J. Payne 

J. Rasmussen 

B. Rowbury

C. Cenac 

K. Flemings 

E. Sharp 

J. Tugler 

M. Uzan

PPG: Kristian Gonzalez (18)

APG: Kolton Mitchell (3.9)

Reb/G: Brody Rowbury (5.2)

PPG: Kingston Flemings (16.4)

APG: Kingston Flemings (5.3)

Reb/G: Chris Cenac Jr. (7.5)

Coaches:

Idaho Vandals: Alex Pribble (3rd season)

Houston Cougars: Kelvin Sampson (12th season)