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Houston, the No. 2 seed, begins its push to build on last year’s national championship game appearance with a South Region matchup against No. 15 seed Idaho.
The contest is the final tip-off among Thursday’s 16 NCAA Tournament games, set for 10:10 p.m. ET at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City and broadcast on truTV. Entering the game, the Cougars are listed as heavy 23.5-point favorites.
- What? NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball: Idaho Vandals vs Houston Cougars
- Where? Paycom Center, Oklahoma City OK
- When? Thursday, March 19, 2026
March Madness First Round: Idaho Vandals vs. Houston Cougars Odds
Below are the NCAAB betting lines from three of the best March Madness betting sites.
| NCAAB |  |  |  |
| Idaho | +2000 | +2000 | +1800 |
| Houston | -10000 | -10000 | -10000 |
| Idaho +23.5 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Houston -23.5 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Over 136 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Under 136 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
Idaho Betting Stats
Idaho enters this matchup in strong form, having won seven of its last eight games. They also covered the spread in seven of those contests.
In first-half betting trends, the Vandals have consistently been involved in lower-scoring starts, with the under hitting in 16 of their last 25 games. They have also been reliable early, claiming the first-half moneyline in 12 of their previous 18 outings and covering the first-half spread in 12 of their last 19 games.
Idaho has been a .500 team against the spread this season, posting a 16-16 record. On the moneyline, the Vandals hold an 18-14 mark, while totals have leaned slightly toward the under. 18 games finished below the number compared to 13 going over.
Houston Betting Stats
Houston has been dominant in straight-up results, winning 20 of its last 25 games, while the under has cashed in 16 of those contests. Recently, first-half scoring has trended higher, with the over hitting in seven of the Cougars’ last nine games. However, their team total has gone under in eight of the past 11 outings.
For the season, Houston holds a 16-18 record against the spread but has been highly reliable on the moneyline at 26-6. Totals have leaned toward lower-scoring games overall, with 20 unders compared to 14 overs.
Idaho Team Stats
Idaho has leaned heavily on the perimeter, attempting 981 shots from beyond the arc this season, the highest total among Big Sky programs, and 1,866 threes dating back to the start of the 2024-25 campaign. This is also a conference-high mark.
Last season, the Vandals struggled to generate opportunities at the line, averaging just 15.6 free throw attempts per game, which ranked tied for 23rd fewest in Division I and fell well below the league average of 19.2. They also offered limited presence on the offensive glass, pulling down 6.7 offensive rebounds per contest (201 across 30 games), tied for the fourth-lowest figure nationally and short of the 9.8 league average.
Defensively, Idaho held opponents to 45% shooting last season (721-of-1,617), the third-best mark in the Big Sky and slightly better than the 46% league average.
This season, the Vandals have continued to limit efficiency, allowing teams to shoot 43% overall (863-of-2,003), again ranking third in the conference and outperforming the 45% league norm. They have also done a solid job defending the perimeter, giving up 7.3 made three-pointers per game—fourth best in the Big Sky compared to the 7.5 average. On the glass, Idaho has contributed 25.3 defensive rebounds per contest (886 across 35 games). This places them third in the conference and above the 23.7 league average.
Houston Team Stats
Houston has taken exceptional care of the ball, committing just 8.5 turnovers per game this season (289 over 34 games), the lowest figure in the Big 12 and among all Power Conference teams, well below the respective league averages of 11.1 and 10.7. That efficiency mirrors last season, when the Cougars led the Big 12 with only 9.0 turnovers per contest (325 across 36 games) compared to an 11.8 average. In the first half this year, they have been even more disciplined, averaging just 4.1 turnovers per game (141 in 34 outings), again the best mark in the conference against a 5.6 norm.
Defensively, Houston has been equally dominant. The Cougars allowed only 57.5 points per game last season (2,070 across 36 games), the top figure in Division I and far below the 72.0 average, including just 24.8 points per game in the first half, which also led the Big 12. They complemented that with 16.0 forced turnovers per game (577 total), ranking tied for sixth nationally compared to an 11.8 average. Sustaining that level, Houston has conceded just 59.6 points per game (6,553 over 110 games) since the start of the 2023-24 season, the best defensive mark in Division I against a 73.1 average.
Idaho Vandals vs. Houston Cougars Betting Picks
Houston enters as a 23.5-point favorite over Idaho. While the Vandals average a robust 78.7 points per game, their defense is limited, generating few steals and blocks. With Houston’s elite defensive performance, the Cougars are well-positioned to cover the spread.
The game’s total is set at 136. Idaho’s high-octane offense combined with Houston’s scoring ability suggests a fast-paced contest. This makes the over a logical play given both teams’ offensive output.
Below are the best offshore sportsbooks where you can place your Idaho Vandals vs Houston Cougars and other March Madness bets.
Moneyline betting 