Iowa State vs Houston Prediction 2/16/26 College Basketball Picks Today
Houston (23-2) vs. Iowa State (22-3)
February 16, 2026 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Iowa State -2.5; Over/Under: 134.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article we will formulate an Iowa State vs Houston prediction for this College Basketball game on Monday, February 16th at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.
Iowa State Cyclones Betting Preview
The Iowa State Cyclones are 22-3 (9-3) this season after they defeated Kansas by a score of 74-56 in their last game. Iowa State led 37-27 at halftime and they were able to cruise to the relatively easy win in the second half. The Cyclones shot 44% from the field, 37% on three pointers, and 53% on free throws in the game. Milan Momcilovic led Iowa State with 18 points and three rebounds, while Blake Buchanan added 11 points and six rebounds in the win.
Prior to that game, Iowa State lost to TCU by a score of 62-55, but did beat Baylor by a score of 72-69 before that. The Cyclones have scored 84.2 points per game with 36.6 rebounds and 18.2 assists per game, while they have allowed 64.5 points against per game this season. Milan Momcilovic is averaging 18.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, while Joshua Jefferson is averaging 16.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game for the Cyclones. Iowa State is shooting 50.6% from the field, 67.2% on free throws, and 39.8% on three pointers this season.
Houston Cougars Betting Preview
The Houston Cougars are 23-2 (11-1) this year after they defeated Kansas State by a score of 78-64 in their last game. Houston led 33-19 at halftime and they tied the second half at 45 in the win. The Cougars shot 41% from the field, 33% on three pointers, and 77% on free throws in the game. Emanuel Sharp led Houston with 23 points and six rebounds, while Kingston Flemings added 12 points and seven rebounds in the win.
Prior to that game, Houston defeated Utah by a score of 66-52 and BYU by a score of 77-66. The Cougars have scored 78.3 points per game with 37.0 rebounds and 15.4 assists per game, while they have allowed 61.3 points against per game this season. Emanuel Sharp is averaging 16.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, while Kingston Flemings is averaging 16.4 points and 5.3 assists per game for the Cougars. Houston is shooting 45.3% from the field, 77.2% on free throws, and 34.1% on three pointers this year.
Why the Iowa State Cyclones will win
- Iowa State has won each of its last 14 games at James H. Hilton Coliseum.
- Houston has lost three of its last four night games as a top-3 AP-ranked team against a top-15 AP-ranked team.
- Iowa State has won the first half in each of its last nine home games.
Why the Houston Cougars will win
- Houston has won each of its last 19 night games against Conference opponents.
- Iowa State has lost seven of its last eight February night games as an AP-ranked team against an AP-ranked team.
- Houston has won the first half in each of its last 14 February night games as a top-10 AP-ranked team.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Iowa State’s last seven home night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 139+ points.
- Five of Houston’s last six games against AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 143+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Iowa State ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for net rating this season (+28.8).
- Iowa State ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for point differential per game this season (+19.7).
- Houston ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (4.6).
- Houston ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for turnovers per game this season (8.2).
Iowa State vs Houston Prediction
Houston comes into this matchup with an 11-1 record in Big 12 play and they have won six games in a row. The Cougars are shooting 45% from the field and they have allowed 66 or fewer in five straight games. Iowa State bounced back from that rough loss to TCU with a nice win against Kansas and they have allowed 67 or fewer in four of their last five. The Cyclones are shooting 51% from the field and they are the slightly better offensive team. This should be another great game in the Big 12, but I am siding with Iowa State at home, as they are the much better shooting team.
