Illinois Fighting Illini vs Houston Cougars odds, predictions, and betting tips – Houston marching toward redemption

The Houston Cougars lost in the championship game in last year’s NCAA Tournament, and with Florida getting eliminated, Houston won’t need to face them on the path there. 

As for Illinois, a win here will send them to their second Elite 8 in three seasons. 

Can Houston get the win and march one step closer to championship gold? Or will Illinois take them down? Let’s examine below.

Illinois vs Houston best bets

• Kingston Flemings 15+ points: -184 with FanDuel
• Chris Cenac Jr. 8+ rebounds: -114 with FanDuel
• Keaton Wagler first field goal scorer: +725 with BetMGM

To get to this point, Illinois has blown out its competition, 181-125. They took down No. 14 Penn and No. 11 VCU. In the win over VCU, they beat them by 21 points. Andrej Stojakovic led the way with 21 points while Tomislav Ivisic had 14 points and 11 rebounds.

This team is loaded with 3-point shooting talent, as four players are averaging 3.8 or more 3-point attempts per game and are shooting at least 36.2%. As a team, they shot 37.5% from 3-point range, 64.7% from the free throw line, and 48.3% from the floor.

The free-throw shooting was well below their season average of 78.4% (13th in the country). Illinois is also one of the best rebounding squads, averaging 41 per game (7th). Illinois ranks second in offensive efficiency (131.6) and 24th in defensive efficiency (98.3). 

They’ll go up against a feisty Houston team. To get to this point, they smothered Idaho and Texas A&M, beating them by a combined score of 166-104. In the win over Texas A&M, Emanuel Sharp, Chris Cenac Jr., Mercy Miller, and Milos Uzan all had double-digit points.

Cenac Jr. added nine boards. Over their last three games, Houston has held opponents to just 26.9% from 3-point range. Houston is 10th in offensive efficiency (125.3) and fourth in defensive efficiency (90.9). 

Illinois vs Houston preview

This is one of the hardest games to pick in the tournament. These teams are so evenly matched, and there are strong cases for both. Neither team turns the ball over much, but Houston averages 7.6 extra scoring chances per game compared to 2.2 for Illinois. 

Also, consider this: This game will be played in the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, which I think could help sway things their way. 

I’ll take Houston -3.5. 

Illinois vs Houston tips

Find the latest odds for Illinois vs Houston courtesy of FanDuel. Odds are subject to change.

Kingston Flemings 15+ points

This season, Flemings is averaging more than 16 points per game and shooting 38.8% from 3-point range and 47.8% from the field. While he had a down performance against Texas A&M, he attempted only one 3-pointer, which he missed. 

Now, Houston will take on one of the best offenses in the country. While Houston’s defense is among the best out there, they’ll need to score, and Fleming is their go-to guy. 

Over their last three games, Illinois has allowed opponents to shoot 57.3% from beyond the arc, an extremely high rate. 

Flemings will get to 15 points. 

Back Kingston Flemings to have 15 points or more against Illinois at -184 with FanDuel

Chris Cenac Jr. 8+ rebounds

Cenac Jr. is averaging 7.8 rebounds this season, and while he’s taking on an Illinois team that’s one of the best rebounding units in the country, I trust him a bit more. Standing 6’11”, he’ll do battle with David Mirkovic, who’s two inches shorter, and Tomislav Ivisic, who’s a couple of inches taller, but is averaging just 5.7 boards per game. 

Cenac Jr. has had eight or more in three of his last four games, including two double-digit performances. He had 18 in the win over Idaho. 

Back Chris Cenac Jr. to have 8 rebounds or more against Illinois at -114 with FanDuel

Keaton Wagler first field goal scorer

Finally, a more “fun” prop I’d go with is Wagler to score the first basket. Of all the players in this game, he averages the most field goal attempts per game (12). He’s also been shooting well lately, shooting 50% from the field in back-to-back games. 

Additionally, he’s had double-digit points in each of his last five games. 

This is a more random prop, but given the odds, I’d take a chance with Wagler. 

Back Keaton Wagler to have the first field goal against Houston at +725 with BetMGM

Illinois vs Houston injury report

Below are the key injuries to report ahead of this contest.

Illinois Fighting Illini

• Out: Jason Jakstys (center) – undisclosed
• Questionable: Toni Bilic (forward) – undisclosed; Ty Rodgers (guard/forward) – knee
• Doubtful: N/A

Houston Cougars

• Out: Kordel Jefferson (guard) – knee; Bryce Jackson (guard) – redshirt
• Questionable: N/A
• Doubtful: N/A

Illinois vs Houston game info

• Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
• Time: 10:05 pm ET
• Venue: Toyota Center in Houston, Texas
• Where to watch: TBS/truTV

About the author

Richard Janvrin

Richard Janvrin brings nearly a decade of experience covering sports, sports betting, and everything iGaming. Richard received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism/English from the University of New Hampshire. Throughout his career, Richard has written for sites like Bleacher Report, Forbes, The Game Day, WSN, Gambling.com, and many more.

Find him on Twitter: @RichardJanvrin

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