Houston playing at home against illinois

 Both teams made me money this year but my lean is Houston I just think Houston is the better team but they do need to shoot better Bol everyone 

This match-up is going to be quite similar to a home game for the Cougs, certainly in terms of crowd support.  Forget the Gators/Tampa comparison...Toyota center is a 6 minute drive from Fertitta.

Coach Sampson is vigorously denying that there is a home court advantage 

Here's a snippet from local news reporting today (March 24th)

Demand for the 2026 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in Houston is
extremely high, driven by the local Houston Cougars' presence and a large influx of traveling Nebraska fans, causing ticket prices to soar over $500+ on resale platforms like SeatGeek. The March 26-28 games at the Toyota Center are seeing intense competition, with Texas-based buyers holding 43% of purchases and Nebraska fans accounting for 29%, according to SeatGeek.

I'm leaning Cougars over a talented Illini team - mostly on physical defense and somewhat on the home crowd.

Not sure who to bet on yet. Might just pass and hope to see an exciting close game.

These Ero kids are soft Houston will be too physical for them

@chicubs09

 A lot of love for illy from what I have seen.  I have like Houston all week.  I’m gonna watch and wait for a live opportunity.  Good luck buddy

tourney games never a real HCA

agree w prior poster - this years coogs not elite like prior years

Boy, those European kids sure sucked tonight, great job Illinois. 

Illinois showed it could play defense holding houston to the fewest points they scored all season.