Iowa State vs. Iowa Prediction & Odds
Number 20 Iowa State heads to Iowa City to face unranked Iowa at 8:00 PM ET Thursday night. Can the Hawkeyes cover the 4.5-point spread as home favorites?
Iowa State is 7-1 on the year with their best wins coming over Villanova and North Carolina. Their only loss came against UConn on November 27th. The Cyclones are 5-3 against the spread this season.
Iowa is 6-2 this season with their best wins coming over Seton Hall and Clemson. Their only losses came against TCU and Duke. The Hawkeyes are 5-3 against the spread this year.
Game Matchup and Betting Odds
875 Iowa State Cyclones (+4.5) vs. 876 Iowa Hawkeyes (-4.5); O/U 141.5
8:00 PM ET, Thursday, December 8, 2022
Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, IA
Iowa State vs. Iowa Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that the public favors the Hawkeyes in this contest. Our public betting data illustrates that 56% of public bets are on Iowa -4.5. Do note that these numbers are subject to change and could be different once tipoff rolls around, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Iowa State Game Notes
Iowa State’s leading scorer is senior guard Jaren Holmes. The St. Bonaventure transfer is averaging 14.8 points per game while shooting 40% from three-point range on 3.1 attempts per game. He’s scored in double figures in 7 of Iowa State’s 8 games this season, and he’ll likely need to do so again for the Cyclones to cover the number.
Iowa State’s leading rebounder is 6’8” senior forward Aljaz Kunc. Kunc is averaging 6.4 rebounds per game while chipping in 7.9 points per contest. The Slovenian national has a versatile skill set as he’s second on the Cyclones in blocks per game and fourth on the club in made three-pointers on the season. His rebounding and defense will likely be crucial for Iowa State in this contest.
Iowa Game Notes
Iowa’s undisputed star player is 6’8” junior forward Kris Murray. Murray is averaging a double-double on the season with 19.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. What’s more, he’s scoring with efficiency, posting shooting splits of 50/37.8/80 on field goal/three-point/free throw percentages. Murray scored a season-low 8 points in Iowa’s loss to Duke on Tuesday, and he’ll need to be better for the Hawkeyes to cover against their rivals on Thursday.
Iowa’s Patrick McCaffrey offers the Hawkeyes depth up front. The 6’9” junior forward is second on the club in scoring with 12.8 points per game and third on the team in rebounding at 4.1 per game. He tied for the team-high in scoring against Duke with 12 points, and Iowa will probably need him to hit double figures again to win convincingly against the Cyclones in this contest.
Iowa State vs. Iowa CBB Betting Trends
The underdog is 7-1-1 ATS in the last 9 meetings between Iowa State and Iowa.
The under is 11-1 in Iowa State’s last 12 games overall.
The under is 5-0 in Iowa’s last 5 games following an ATS loss.
Iowa State vs. Iowa CBB Prediction:
Rivalry games are always tough, but this one might be a bit tougher for Iowa than usual. The Hawkeyes played Duke at Madison Square Garden in New York on Tuesday and lost 74-62 while getting outrebounded by 10. They then have to play their ranked in-state rival less than 48 hours later. Iowa State’s defense is stellar as they’re eighth in the country in defensive efficiency and sixth in the country in points allowed per game. I think the combination of Iowa State’s defense and the short turnaround for Iowa add up to the Cyclones covering the number. I’ll take Iowa State and the points.
CBB BETTING PREDICTION: IOWA STATE CYCLONES +4.5
