Illinois Fighting Illini vs Houston Cougars Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/26/2026

Game Time: 10:05 pm ET, Thursday, March 26, 2026

Venue:  Toyota Center, Houston, TX 

Where to Watch:  TBS, truTV

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Illinois +3.5, Houston -3.5; Over/Under:  140.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Illinois +3.5, Houston -3.5; Over/Under:  140.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Illinois +2.5, Houston -2.5; Over/Under:  139.5 points

Illinois Fighting Illini:  26-8 (15-5) (4th place, Big Ten)

Houston Cougars:  30-6 (14-4) (2nd place, Big 12)

Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Matt Fargo is on a HOT STREAK in college basketball on a 16-7 CBB RUN for +$8,320 PROFIT1 Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.

Illinois Fighting Illini:  4-1  last 5

Houston Cougars:  4-1  last 5

Illinois is entering this game with a 26-8 record overall, a 15-5 record in conference games, and they are 4-3 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the VCU Rams in their last game. Andrej Stojaković led the team in points in that game with 21 while Tomislav Ivišić and Keaton Wagler each were next on the team with 14. David Mirković led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Tomislav Ivišić led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 48.3% from the field, 37.5% from 3-point range, and 64.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 84.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 69.4 PPG against them. Illinois has an ATS record of 20-14 this season and their O/U record is 15-19.

Houston is entering this game with a 30-6 record overall, a 14-4 conference record, and they are 9-2 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Texas A&M Aggies in their last game. Emanuel Sharp led the team in points in that game with 18 while Chris Cenac Jr. was next on the team with 17. Milos Uzan and Kingston Flemings each led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Chris Cenac Jr. led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 44.1% from the field, 25.8% from 3-point range, and 80% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 77.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 62.2 PPG against them. Houston has an ATS record of 18-18 this season and their O/U record is 15-21.

The current betting odds have Houston listed as a 3.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Houston has looked great in their games this season with their 30-6 record overall and their 14-4 conference record which had them right near the top of the Big 12. They have been a great team in their neutral site games too with their 9-2 record in those. Meanwhile, Illinois has looked really good in their games this season with their 26-8 record overall and their 15-5 conference record which had them right near the top of the Big Ten. They haven't been as good in their neutral site games though, going 4-3 in those. Illinois has been rolling in this tournament with 2 wins in a row by double digits, but they really haven't been challenged with their opponents either. They have had an easier path so far and they have had some trouble in their own conference against top teams lately, even getting kicked out in the first game of the Big Ten Tournament by Wisconsin. Houston hasn't had a tougher path themselves, crushing Idaho in the first round and now Texas A&M by over 30 points in the last round. They were a lot more impressive in those wins though and even though they didn't win the Big 12 Tournament, they did make it to the Final before losing a tight game to the best team Arizona. As good as Illinois has looked this season, Houston is still the more talented team here and they have the experience on their side after going to the Final last year. This is a familiar spot for Houston and they have the more talented players along with one of the best defenses in the nation to carry them back to the Elite 8. 

Illinois Houston Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Thursday, March 26, 2026 (10:05 pm ET start time) is Houston 75 Illinois 68.

Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Illinois Fighting Illini Houston Cougars prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAB predictions and previews.

Illinois Fighting Illini: 7-0 ATS in a neutral court game where the total is 140 to 149.5. 25-12 ATS after a win by 15 points or more. 10-4 ATS versus poor foul drawing teams - attempting 18 free throws/game or less. 4-1 UNDER as a neutral court underdog of 6 points or less or pick. 24-17 UNDER in non-conference games.

Houston Cougars: 6-10 ATS after scoring 85 points or more. 4-7 ATS versus excellent teams - shooting 45% or more with a defense of 42% or less. 4-7 ATS versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game. 11-5 UNDER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 8-4 UNDER versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game.

Illinois Fighting Illini:  T. Bilic (F) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Jakstys (C) Out - Undisclosed. T. Rodgers (G-F) Questionable - Knee.

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

"We did a really good job of not putting them on the foul line. We talked a lot about that. We are one of the best teams in the country in not fouling. They didn't shoot a free throw in the first half. They shot six for the game, and I think 23% of their points come from the foul line." - Brad Underwood after his team’s win against VCU in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday.

"We're always fiddling and teaching and getting our guys in the right places, but defensively, we just played Cougar defense. Nothing really that out of the ordinary tonight." - Kelvin Sampson after his team’s win against Texas A&M in the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. 

K. Boswell 

T. Ivisic 

D. Mirkovic 

A. Stojakovic 

K. Wagler

C. Cenac 

K. Flemings 

E. Sharp 

J. Tugler 

M. Uzan

PPG: Keaton Wagler (17.8)

APG: Keaton Wagler (4.4)

Reb/G: David Mirkovic (7.9)

PPG: Kingston Flemings (16.2)

APG: Kingston Flemings (5.2)

Reb/G: Chris Cenac Jr. (7.8)

Coaches:

Illinois Fighting Illini: Brad Underwood (9th season)

Houston Cougars: Kelvin Sampson (12th season)