The Houston Cougars are not a No. 1 seed this year, but they may have a higher ceiling than last year’s national runner-up did thanks to star freshman Kingston Flemings. And the Idaho Vandals certainly have no stopper for such a talent.
However, my Idaho vs. Houston predictions and March Madness picks do not expect much from Flemings on Thursday, March 19.
Tip-off is set for 10:10 p.m. ET from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, with the game airing on truTV.
Idaho vs Houston prediction
Who will win Idaho vs Houston?
Houston: Not to be overly dismissive, but Houston will win. Idaho could not even beat Notre Dame this season. Its most impressive win came against Montana State, splitting that regular-season series before prevailing by four in the Big Sky Conference Tournament.
Idaho vs Houston best bet: Kingston Flemings Under 16.5 points (-110)
Houston Cougars freshman Kingston Flemings should be the best player in the South Regional, but he also has no need to flex his muscles against the Idaho Vandals. And when Houston has been a double-digit favorite of late, Flemings has very much not flexed his muscles.
In the last four games in which the Cougars were favored by at least 10 points, Flemings has fallen short of this prop in all four and averaged 10 points.
His time will come to shine in this tournament, but it is not in the first round.
COVERS INTEL: Houston plays at one of the slowest paces in the country, while Idaho is rather middling in that regard.
Idaho vs Houston same-game parlay
In those four recent games with Houston favored by double digits, Fleming went a total of 2-of-6 from deep. He is an acceptable 3-point shooter, but he does not emphasize it and certainly will not in a blowout.
Worries about Houston covering such a significant spread should be eased when realizing it won by 38 points in last year’s first round as a 28.5-point favorite. And taking the Cougars against the spread while seemingly doubting Flemings escalates this same-game parlay more than it should.
Idaho vs Houston SGP
- Kingston Flemings Under 16.5 points
- Kingston Flemings Under 1.5 threes
- Houston -23.5
Our Big Dance SGP: Testing your late dedication
Anyone who has ever spent the entire opening day of March Madness at a bar knows that the final game is more often than not a dud. Your resolve to stay until the end is tested by the blowout. But every bucket becomes magnified when wanting a favorite to cover a massive spread while the game still stays Under its total. Trust in Kelvin Sampson’s defensive heart allows for such a narrow path.
Idaho vs Houston SGP
- Under 63.5 — 1H
- Houston -14 — 1H
- Under 138
- Houston -23.5
Idaho vs Houston odds
- Spread: Idaho +23.5 (-110) | Houston -23.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Idaho +1600 | Houston -100000
- Over/Under: Over 138 (-110) | Under 138 (-110)
Idaho vs Houston betting trend to know
Of Houston’s 19 games as a double-digit favorite, 12 cashed the Under this season. Find more college basketball betting trends for Idaho vs. Houston.
How to watch Idaho vs Houston
| Location | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK |
| Date | Thursday, March 19, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 10:10 p.m. ET |
| TV | truTV |
Idaho vs Houston key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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