OKLAHOMA CITY (Interstat) — A classic David vs. Goliath matchup tips off Thursday in the NCAA Tournament when the seed Idaho Vandals face the seed Houston Cougars at Paycom Center.

Idaho (21-14), which earned an automatic bid, rides a five-game winning streak into its first tournament appearance in years. The Vandals’ late surge was powered by guard Isaiah Brickner, who averaged 14.7 points during the team’s recent run. He scored 23 points in the 77-66 win at Montana on March 11 that clinched their berth.

Houston (28-6), an at-large selection from the powerhouse Big 12 Conference, presents a monumental challenge. The Cougars are favored by 22.5 points, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, with the over/under set at 134.5. Houston boasts a top-10 defense nationally and is battle-tested against a gauntlet of ranked opponents.

The Cougars are led by forward Joseph Tugler, a versatile defender and efficient scorer. Tugler is coming off a 20-point, three-assist performance in a 79-74 loss at Arizona on March 14. Houston had won five straight prior to that defeat.

Idaho will need a historic performance to counter Houston’s physicality and depth. The Vandals have not faced a team of Houston’s caliber this season, with their schedule primarily featuring Big Sky Conference foes.

The game marks a stark contrast in tournament pedigree. Houston is a perennial contender making its 12th straight appearance, while Idaho is a Cinderella story looking for one of the biggest upsets in recent tournament history.

Tipoff is scheduled for approximately 7:10 p.m. EDT Thursday. The winner will advance to face either Alabama or McNeese State on Saturday.