Idaho, Houston and Madness
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UH basketball head coach Kelvin Sampson breaks down the team's first round opponent in March Madness, the Idaho Vandals.
Share Idaho Vandals (21-14, 13-9 Big Sky) vs. Houston Cougars (28-6, 16-5 Big 12) Oklahoma City; Thursday, 10:10 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cougars -23.5; over/under is 138.5 BOTTOM LINE: No. 5 Houston takes on Idaho in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
Idaho is playing in the NCAA tourney for the first time since 1990. Houston was the national runner-up last year.
The Houston Cougars have several clear advantages over the Idaho Vandals, and the two teams will matchup in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
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Houston fights the urge to look ahead to possible Florida rematch, focuses on 1st round vs. Idaho
Houston could eventually go back home for a rematch of last season's national championship game it lost to Florida. The South regional final would be played at the Toyota Center in Houston, just a few miles from the Fertitta Center where the Cougars play their home games.
The Houston Cougars men's basketball arrive in the NCAA Tournament not just as a contender, but as a benchmark. For teams like the Idaho Vandals, facing Houston means measuring themselves against one of the nation’s most consistent and physical programs.
Second-seeded Houston lost in the NCAA title game last season and is primed to make another deep run this year.
The BYU Cougars play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against the Texas Longhorns . Thursday's meeting is the first this season for the squads.