Feb. 15, 2026, 10:44 p.m. ET

The No. 3* Houston Cougars (23-2, 11-1 Big 12) and the No. 4* Iowa State Cyclones (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 NCAA basketball odds around the Houston vs. Iowa State odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

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.

Houston topped the Kansas State Wildcats 78-64 as a 21.5-point favorite Saturday at the Under (144.5) cashed. G Emanuel Sharp went for 23 points with 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists and 3 3-pointers, while G Kingston Flemings and G Milos Uzan each went for 12 points.

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.

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 had a team-best 18 points with 4 3-pointers, while 4 other players, including G Tamin Lipsey, contributed 11 points apiece.

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.

– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll (*-new rankings to be released Monday afternoon)

Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!Houston at Iowa State odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 10:25 pm. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Houston +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Iowa State -140 (bet $140 to win $100)Against the spread: Houston +2.5 (-110) | Iowa State -2.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 134.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Houston at Iowa State picks and predictionsPrediction

Iowa State 68, Houston 64

If you’re a bit on the conservative side, take IOWA STATE (-140) 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.

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.

IOWA STATE -2.5 (-110) 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.

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.

UNDER 134.5 (-110) is the lean, but roll with a half-unit play at best.

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.

The Under has connected in 5 in a row for the Cougars, while going 10-3 in the previous 13 contests.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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