It will be a battle between Big 12 opponents when the No. 24 TCU Horned Frogs (13-4, 1-4 Big 12) welcome the Iowa State Cyclones (10-6, 1-4 Big 12) to Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, and will air on ESPNU.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 157 points with TCU opening as a 10.5-point favorite.
Iowa State Cyclones at TCU Horned Frogs Free Prediction
The Cyclones come in on a high note after topping the Baylor Bears in their last game, 75-65. Iowa State’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Baylor. The Cyclones had a rate of 0.484 (below their season average of 0.503), while the Bears posted a mark of 0.373 (below their season average of 0.554). Iowa State received a boost from Lindell Wigginton, who was the game’s high scorer with 30 points on 8-for-17 shooting.
The last time the Horned Frogs played, they fell to the No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners, 102-97. Oklahoma’s 0.181 free throw rate was their largest advantage over TCU, who had a mark of 0.115. The Sooners’ mark was below their season average of 0.266, while the Horned Frogs’ was below their season average of 0.263. With 21 points and six rebounds, Vladimir Brodziansky put together a solid performance for TCU.
TCU figures to have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Horned Frogs currently rank ninth in offensive efficiency, while Iowa State ranks 186th in defensive efficiency.
Iowa State has a respectable 10-6 straight up (SU) record, but they are just 5-8-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to place the total low when the Cyclones are involved, as nine of their 14 games have gone over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, TCU is 13-4 SU and 8-8 ATS. Coinciding with Iowa State, Horned Frogs games also have a tendency to go over the projected point total (75.0 percent).
Brodziansky has averaged 16.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over the last five games for TCU.
After the Cyclones won two out of three meetings against the Horned Frogs last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the last game, Iowa State won 84-63. The Cyclones had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.673 vs. 0.434) and had a better turnover percentage (8.8 vs. 10.7).
Iowa State Cyclones at TCU Horned Frogs ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – TCU, ATS Winner – Iowa State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Iowa State is 3-4 ATS on the road with 5 overs and 2 unders.
At home, TCU is 4-6 ATS with 7 overs and 3 unders.
TCU ranks 19th in rebounds allowed per game (30.8) while Iowa State ranks 204th (36.9).
The Horned Frogs rank second in assists per game (19.9) while the Cyclones rank 134th (13.9).
TCU ranks 129th in three pointers attempted per game (22.2) while Iowa State ranks 239th in three pointers allowed per game (25.8).
The Cyclones average 4.0 blocks per game, which ranks 71st in the NCAA. The Horned Frogs rank 120th in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
TCU ranks 62nd in steals per game (7.2) while Iowa State ranks 90th in steals allowed per game (6.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Iowa State is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
TCU is 2-3 ATS with 5 overs over their last five games.
The Cyclones have been outscored by an average of 4.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Iowa State has defeated opponents by an average of 2.8 points.
During their last five games, the Horned Frogs have scored an average of 89.8 points per game (1.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 91.4 points per game (13.3 above their season average).
