Nevada vs. Iowa State Pick
No. 5 Iowa State looks to close out the NCAA Tournament action on Thursday with a smooth win over No. 12 Nevada when the two meet tonight at 9:57PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Iowa State is favored in this game, as the Cyclones are getting odds of -6.5 points against Nevada. The over/under total for the game is listed at 156.5 points. This game will take part in the Midwest Region and air on TruTV from the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Iowa State won the spot in the tournament by winning the Big 12 Tournament last week. The Cyclones are 23-10 on the season and 18-12 against the spread. Iowa State is 8-2 against the spread in its last 10 games. ISU is averaging 80.9 points per game on offense while allowing 72 on defense. Monte Morris has been the team leader with 16.3 points and 6.1 assists per game while Nazareth Mitrou-Long is adding 15.5 points per contest.
Nevada comes into today on a nine-game winning streak. The Wolf Pack are 28-6 on the season and won the Mountain West regular-season and tournament titles. Nevada was also an impressive 23-10-1 against the spread this season. The Wolf Pack average 80 points per game on offense while allowing 70.9 on defense. Marcus Marshall is leading the team with 19.8 points per game while Cameron Oliver adds 15.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per contest.
Both teams come into today’s game with plenty of confidence. Iowa State won a competitive Big 12 Tournament while Nevada hasn’t lost in over a month. Both teams have a similar style as well, using their offense to outscore opponents. One issue for ISU in this game could be the glass, as Nevada averages 36 rebounds per game while ISU is -3.6 on the glass per game. I think Nevada will be able to shoot the ball well and get second-chance opportunities, putting them in prime position for the upset.
MARCH MADNESS PREDICTION: NEVADA +6.5