It will be a battle between Big 12 opponents when the Texas Longhorns (12-7, 3-4 Big 12) welcome the Iowa State Cyclones (11-7, 2-5 Big 12) to Frank Erwin Special Events Center. The game will air on ESPNU at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, January 22, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 137 points with Texas opening as a 7-point favorite.
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Texas Longhorns Betting Prediction
The Cyclones come in on a high note after blowing out the No. 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders in their last game, 70-52. The Cyclones held the Red Raiders to an effective field goal percentage of 0.390 (below their season average of 0.539). The Red Raiders had a free throw rate of 0.102 (below their season average of 0.274). Nick Weiler-Babb had a good game for Iowa State, contributing 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
In the Longhorns’ last matchup, they were blown out by the No. 6 West Virginia Mountaineers, 86-51. West Virginia’s rebounding was their largest advantage. The Mountaineers had 14 offensive rebounds and 45 total rebounds, while the Longhorns had six and 29, respectively. Texas’ Mohamed Bamba recorded nine points and 13 rebounds in the game.
When looking at effective field goal percentage, Texas should have a significant edge. The Longhorns defense ranks 24th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.459), while the Iowa State offense is ranked 197th in effective field goal percentage (0.508).
Iowa State is 11-7 straight up (SU), but they have difficulty covering the spread (6-9-1 against the spread (ATS)). Of the Cyclones’ 16 games that accepted bets, 10 have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Texas owns records of 12-7 SU and 7-8 ATS. Contrary to Iowa State, Longhorns games have a tendency to finish under the total (60.0 percent).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Cyclones lost 74-70, unable to cover as 2.5-point underdogs. Cameron Lard put up 21 points and 16 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 144 points, which was 6 points above the projected point total of 138 points. Texas’ 0.172 free throw rate was their biggest strength over Iowa State, who had a mark of 0.092.
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Texas Longhorns Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Texas, ATS Winner – Iowa State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Iowa State is 3-5 ATS with 6 overs and 2 unders.
Texas is 3-3 ATS at home with 4 unders and 2 overs.
Texas ranks 40th in assists allowed per game (11.5) while Iowa State ranks 171st (14.3).
The Cyclones average 38.4 rebounds per game, which ranks 61st in the NCAA. The Longhorns rank 188th in rebounds allowed per game (36.6).
Texas ranks 130th in three pointers allowed per game (21.7) while Iowa State ranks 256th (25.8).
The Longhorns rank 11th in blocks per game (5.9) while the Cyclones rank 94th in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Iowa State is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Texas is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Cyclones have been outscored by an average of 1.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Iowa State has defeated opponents by an average of 2.2 points.
During their last five games, the Longhorns have scored an average of 68.2 points per game (3.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 75.2 points per game (8.7 above their season average).
