- Matchup: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Houston Cougars
- Event Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
- Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
- Broadcast: TBS
- Betting Odds: Houston favored by 3 points
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On Thursday, the Houston Cougars (30-6) will square off against the Illinois Fighting Illini (26-8) at the Toyota Center for the Sweet 16. Illinois opens as underdogs, with a point spread of 3. The total points set for the match is 139.
In their previous game, the Illinois Fighting Illini defeated VCU with a score of 76-55. They posted a shooting percentage of 48.3% (28 of 58) and successfully converted 9 of 24 three-point attempts. From the free-throw line, Illinois made 11 of 17, achieving a conversion rate of 64.7%. Totaling 40 rebounds, they secured 9 on the offensive glass, distributed 15 assists, forced 10 turnovers, and recorded 5 steals. Defensively, Illinois limited their opponents to a field goal percentage of 34.8%, as VCU shot 23 of 66. VCU managed to achieve 8 assists and 8 steals but only gathered 26 rebounds (12 offensive and 14 defensive), without any blocked shots. VCU also struggled from the charity stripe, making only 2 of 6 attempts, and went 7 of 32 from beyond the arc. Both teams were tagged with 14 personal fouls.
Andrej Stojakovic was a standout performer, shooting 58.3% from the field and contributing 1 assist in 26 minutes on the court, alongside 4 rebounds and 21 points from 7 of 12 shooting.
Illinois enters this game with a season record of 26-8. Averaging 84.7 points per game (17th nationally), they have a field goal percentage of 46.5%. The Fighting Illini shoot 35.0% from three-point range (373 of 1066) and 78.4% from the free-throw line. They average 41.0 rebounds and have recorded a total of 500 assists this season, ranking 104th in assists per game. Their turnovers average at 8.8 per game, while personal fouls stand at 13.3 per game.
Defensively, the Fighting Illini force their opponents into 7.9 turnovers per game and draw 18.7 fouls. Their defensive rankings show they allow 448 assists over the season and a field goal percentage of 40.9% (883 of 2157), surrendering 30.8 rebounds per game. Opponents shoot 31.0% from beyond the arc while Illinois ranks 60th in points allowed per game (69.4).
When last competing, the Houston Cougars emerged victorious against Texas A&M, winning 88-57. The Cougars allowed Texas A&M to collect 27 rebounds (8 offensive) while shooting 25.0% from three-point range (6 of 24) and converting 15 of 19 free throws (78.9%). Texas A&M managed to shoot 34.6% (18 of 52) from the field. Houston finished the game with 30 of 68 shooting, yielding a 44.1% field goal percentage, while making 8 of 31 three-point attempts (25.8%). They shot effectively from the free-throw line, hitting 20 out of 25 (80.0%). Texas A&M incurred 20 personal fouls, leading Houston to the line 25 times. The Cougars committed 5 turnovers and secured 4 steals, collecting a total of 42 boards (26 defensive and 16 offensive).
Emanuel Sharp was notable for the Cougars, scoring 18 points in 25 minutes, with no assists, while shooting 5 of 11 (45.5%) and grabbing 4 rebounds.
Houston boasts a record of 30-6 this season. The Cougars commit an average of 17.9 personal fouls per game and are shooting 77.2% from the free-throw line. They average 14.5 assists (131st nationally) while turning the ball over 8.4 times each game. Houston has scored a total of 2,789 points this year, averaging 77.5 points per game, along with 37.1 rebounds.
The Houston defense allows a 3-point shooting percentage of 31.4% (245 of 780), with opponents hitting 69.9% of their foul shots. They permit an average of 11.0 assists and 33.3 rebounds per game, ranking 24th and 99th in Division 1, respectively. Notably, Houston stands 2nd in the nation in points allowed per game (62.3), forcing opponents into an average of 13.5 turnovers and holding them to a shooting percentage of 39.5% (12th in college basketball).
Which team will prevail in tonight’s NCAA matchup against the spread?
Pick: Opt for Houston (-3)
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