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Houston Cougars take on Idaho Vandals in first round of NCAA Tournament

By The Associated Press

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.

The Cougars are 16-5 against Big 12 opponents and 12-1 in non-conference play. Houston is second in college basketball giving up 62.9 points per game while holding opponents to 40.0% shooting.

The Vandals are 13-9 against Big Sky teams. Idaho is eighth in the Big Sky with 12.5 assists per game led by Kolton Mitchell averaging 3.7.

Houston averages 77.1 points per game, 4.5 more points than the 72.6 Idaho allows. Idaho has shot at a 44.8% clip from the field this season, 4.8 percentage points above the 40.0% shooting opponents of Houston have averaged.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kingston Flemings is scoring 16.4 points per game with 3.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists for the Cougars. Emanuel Sharp is averaging 13.0 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 31.6% over the last 10 games.

Jackson Rasmussen is scoring 13.8 points per game and averaging 4.7 rebounds for the Vandals. Isaiah Brickner is averaging 14.5 points and 4.9 rebounds over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Cougars: 6-4, averaging 74.4 points, 32.5 rebounds, 13.3 assists, 6.4 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 43.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 66.9 points per game.

Vandals: 8-2, averaging 78.6 points, 34.6 rebounds, 12.0 assists, 5.5 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.4 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Cheryl Reeve steps away from the WNBA grind for a Hall of Fame induction

By The Associated Press
Cheryl Reeve is taking a break from her busy WNBA season to head to Knoxville this weekend and be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. She's only the second WNBA coach to enter the Hall of Fame, joining former Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor, who was inducted in 2001. “(I appreciate) the magnitude of this recognition of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the great work that has gone into this institution,” Reeve said. “To walk around and see the history of how much has been done years before I could ever have this opportunity to coach. Grateful to the WNBA because I think there was some consideration given schedule wise.” Reeve will be joined by WNBA greats Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne in this year's class. Parker and Delle Donne also will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame later this year. Other inductees include ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke, Kirkwood Community College coach Kim Muhl, Spanish star Amaya Valdemoro, French great Isabelle Fijalkowski and Clemson's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, Barbara Kennedy-Dixon.
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