Feb. 15, 2026, 10:44 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
The No. 3* Houston Cougars<\/strong> (23-2, 11-1 Big 12) and the No. 4* Iowa State Cyclones<\/strong> (22-3, 9-3) meet Monday. Tip-off from Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s<\/a> NCAA basketball odds around the Houston vs. Iowa State odds<\/strong> and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions<\/a> for the best bets.<\/p>\n These teams met last season just once, and Houston came away with a 68-59 win while Iowa State covered as an 11-point underdog at Fertitta Center in H-Town as the Under (129.5) cashed. Houston has won 2 of the past 3 meetings, with Iowa State going 5-0-1 against the spread (ATS) in the past 6 in the series since 2008, including 3-0-1 ATS in 4 meetings at Big 12 members since 2024. The Under is 4-1 in the past 5 meetings in the series.<\/p>\n Houston topped the Kansas State Wildcats<\/a> 78-64 as a 21.5-point favorite Saturday at the Under (144.5) cashed. G Emanuel Sharp<\/strong> went for 23 points with 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists and 3 3-pointers, while G Kingston Flemings<\/strong> and G Milos Uzan<\/strong> each went for 12 points.<\/p>\n The Cougars have won 6 in a row since losing at the Texas Tech Red Raiders Jan. 24, and it is 4-2 ATS in the span, with 5 straight Under results. The Under is also 10-3 across the previous 13 outings.<\/p>\n Iowa State cooled off the No. 9* Kansas Jayhawks over the weekend, 74-56, covering as 7.5-point favorites as the Under (147.5) cashed. F Milan Momcilovic<\/strong> had a team-best 18 points with 4 3-pointers, while 4 other players, including G Tamin Lipsey<\/strong>, contributed 11 points apiece.<\/p>\n The Cyclones have won 6 of the past 7 games, while going 5-2 ATS in the span, while the Under has cashed in 3 in a row. The total has gone low in 9 of the past 12 games, too.<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0Rankings<\/strong>:\u00a0USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll<\/a> (*-new rankings to be released Monday afternoon)<\/p>\n Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!<\/a>Houston at Iowa State odds<\/p>\n Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook<\/a>; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub<\/a> for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 10:25 pm. ET.<\/p>\n Houston at Iowa State picks and predictionsPrediction<\/p>\n Iowa State 68, Houston 64<\/p>\n If you’re a bit on the conservative side, take IOWA STATE (-140)<\/strong> straight up at home. While I’m not a huge fan of paying up to avoid laying the small amount of points, this could potentially be a one-possession game in a battle of 2 top-5 teams, so no one could blame you for playing it safe.<\/p>\n The Cyclones are a perfect 14-0 SU at home, and they’re 4-6 ATS in the past 10 at Hilton Coliseum. Meanwhile, the Cougars are 5-1 in 6 true road games, while also losing another neutral-site game.<\/p>\n IOWA STATE -2.5 (-110)<\/strong> is worth playing if you’re a more traditional bettor, as most will laying 2.5 or fewer points rather than pay up for the moneyline for a small bit of insurance.<\/p>\n Houston is just 4-3 ATS in the past 7 games, and 2-2 ATS in the past 4 true road outings. Iowa State has failed to cover 2 of the past 3, but it throttled Kansas in a battle of ranked teams at Hilton. I-State is also 5-2 ATS in the past 7 games.<\/p>\n UNDER 134.5 (-110)<\/strong> is the lean, but roll with a half-unit play<\/strong> at best.<\/p>\n The Under has cashed in 3 in a row for Iowa State, while going 9-3 in the past 12 outings. The Cyclones have allowed 69 or fewer points in 5 in a row, too, including the showdown with Kansas.<\/p>\n The Under has connected in 5 in a row for the Cougars, while going 10-3 in the previous 13 contests.<\/p>\n For more sports betting picks and tips<\/strong>, check out SportsbookWire.com<\/a> and BetFTW<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow @danieledobish<\/a> on\u00a0Twitter\/X.\u00a0Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter\/X<\/a> and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:<\/strong><\/p>\n Alabama<\/a> \/ Auburn<\/a> \/ Clemson<\/a>\u00a0\/ Colorado<\/a> \/ Duke<\/a> \/\u00a0Florida<\/a> \/ Florida State<\/a> \/\u00a0Georgia<\/a> \/ Iowa<\/a> \/ Kentucky<\/a> \/\u00a0LSU<\/a>\u00a0\/ Michigan<\/a>\u00a0\/ Michigan State<\/a> \/ Nebraska<\/a> \/ North Carolina<\/a> \/ Notre Dame<\/a>\u00a0\/ Ohio State<\/a>\u00a0\/ Oklahoma<\/a> \/ Oregon<\/a> \/ Penn State<\/a> \/ Tennessee<\/a>\u00a0\/ Texas<\/a> \/ Texas A&M<\/a> \/ UCLA<\/a> \/ USC<\/a> \/ Washington<\/a> \/\u00a0Wisconsin<\/a> \/ College Sports Wire<\/a> \/ High School<\/a> \/ Recruiting<\/a><\/p>\n\n