Houston Cougars vs Iowa State Cyclones NCAAB Betting Pick & Prediction for 2/16
The Houston Cougars and Iowa State Cyclones will meet on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, IA. This Big 12 conference game will be broadcast on ESPN at 9:00 PM ET. The Iowa State Cyclones are the favorites with a spread of -2.5, while the Houston Cougars come in as the underdogs with a spread of +2.5.
Houston holds an impressive 23-2 record, ranking them third in the AP poll. They have performed well both at home and away, with a 7-1 record in road games. Iowa State is ranked fifth with a 22-3 record, boasting an unbeaten 17-0 record at home. The over/under for the game is set at 134.5 points, making for an exciting matchup between two highly-ranked teams.
Houston Cougars vs Iowa State Cyclones Game Day Info
- Sport: College Basketball
- Teams: Houston Cougars vs Iowa State Cyclones
- Venue: Hilton Coliseum, Ames IA
- Date: Monday, February 16, 2026 at 9:00 PM ET
- Betting Odds: Iowa State Cyclones Spread -2.5 (-112), Houston Cougars Spread +2.5 (-112), Iowa State Cyclones MoneyLine -140, Houston Cougars MoneyLine +111, Over/Under 134.5
Houston Cougars Team Preview
The Houston Cougars have been strong in their recent games. They won their last three games, with a notable win against Kansas State, scoring 78 points. Emanuel Sharp led the team with 23 points in that game, showing his scoring ability.
The Cougars have a solid season record, standing at 23-2 overall. Their away record is also impressive with seven wins and only one loss. In the Big 12 Conference, they are ranked #3, which highlights their competitive performance.
Houston’s key players like Emanuel Sharp and Kingston Flemings have been consistent. Sharp averages 16.6 points per game, while Flemings scores 16.4 points per game. Their ability to score and assist makes them vital to the team’s success.
Iowa State Cyclones Team Preview
The Iowa State Cyclones are having a strong season with a 22-3 record. They are undefeated at home, going 17-0. Ranked #5 in the AP poll, they play in the competitive Big 12 Conference.
The Cyclones average 84.2 points per game, ranking them 35th in the nation. They have a high field goal percentage of 50.6%, placing them 13th. Their three-point shooting stands at 39.7%, which is 22nd in the country.
Recent performances include a win against Kansas by 18 points and a close victory over Baylor by 3 points. Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson have been standout players. They have shown strong performances in scoring and playmaking in these games.
BTB Betting Pick
The Iowa State Cyclones are favored by 2.5 points against the Houston Cougars. Iowa State scores 84.2 points per game, ranking 35th, while Houston scores 78.3 points per game, ranking 150th. With Iowa State’s strong shooting and home advantage, they are likely to cover the -2.5 spread, with a projected score of Iowa State 80, Houston 75.
The total for the game is set at 134.5. Both teams have solid offenses, with Iowa State averaging 84.2 points and Houston 78.3 points per game. Considering these numbers, the game is likely to go over the total, with a projected total score of 155 points.