Predictions, Picks & Odds for Arizona vs Iowa State Big 12 Showdown

• The #9 Iowa State Cyclones are 5.5-point home favorites over the #22 Arizona Wildcats tonight
• Arizona defeated Iowa State 86-75 earlier this season
• Check out the Arizona vs Iowa State prediction, picks and odds, below

One of the biggest games on today’s college hoops slate pits #22 Arizona (19-9, 13-4 Big 12) against #9 Iowa State (21-7, 11-6 Big 12). Online sportsbooks are bullish on the Cyclones, pegging them as home chalk in the college basketball odds.

Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 pm ET from the Hilton Coliseum, in Ames, IA, with ESPN providing the broadcast coverage.

Arizona Wildcats vs Iowa State Cyclones Odds

Iowa State is currently favored by 5.5-points, in a contest with a total of 151.5. Per the college basketball public betting trends, the spread has moved a point in the Cyclones favor since opening odds were released, while the over/under is down 2 points.

Odds as of March 1 at BetMGM. Be sure to check out the best BetMGM promo code before placing a bet on any college hoops game tonight.

Arizona vs Iowa State Prediction

Given both teams’ recent performances, it might come as a surprise that Iowa State is laying so many points. The Cyclones have dropped back-to-back games, losing by 8 or more both times. They’ve faced Arizona once already this season, and fell by 11 on the road.

If we dig a little deeper, there’s a fairly easy explanation. Injuries have wreaked havoc on Iowa State this year. Over the past month, they’ve had to play frequently without three of their top-four scorers. Curtis Jones, Keshon Gilbert and Milan Momcilovic have all been in and out of the lineup. That’s forced multiple changes to the starting lineup, including shifting Jones to the starting five, removing the threat of instant offense off the bench.

The good news is the team is almost back to 100%. Gilbert is the only question mark heading into this contest, and there’s a lot of optimism that he’ll be ready to roll. That’s huge, because with Gilbert and Momcilovic in the lineup, the Cyclones are nearly unstoppable. They’re 18-1 in those games, with their only loss being a 2-point defeat to #1 Auburn, the favorite in the March Madness odds.

Arizona vs Iowa State Ratings

As for that loss in January versus the Wildcats, don’t read too much into it. Iowas State dominated the game and had a chance to ice it in the dying seconds. A missed free throw and a desperation Caleb Love half court heave later, and the game was off to overtime, where Arizona eventually pulled away.

If Gilbert is a go, I’m all in on Iowa State tonight and would even consider alt lines for a juicier payout. Even if he sits, I still expect the Cyclones to cover, in large part due to the Wildcats road struggles.

Arizona vs Iowa State Picks

• Iowa State -5.5 (-115) at Bet MGM

Arizona’s three-point field goal percentage dips from 34% at home, to 27.6% on the road. That latter number would rank 350th in the nation extrapolated over the entire season. In order to be efficient offensively, they’re likely going to have to excel in the half court. Easier said than done versus Iowa State.

The Cyclones are 11th in defensive rating and 32nd in opponent points per possession in the half court. They’re top-15 in steals, and top-20 in defensive rebounding.

Offensively, they feature four players who average in double-figures (if Gilbert plays), and boast an effective field goal percentage of 54%. In the last 14 games Momcilovic and Gilbet have suited up together, Iowa State is 14-0, winning 12 times by at least 9 points. That’s good enough for me to make the Cyclones -5.5 my best bet for this Big 12 showdown.

The highly anticipated Big 12 showdown between Arizona and Iowa State is set to take place this weekend, and fans are buzzing with excitement. Both teams have had strong starts to the season, making this game a must-watch for college football enthusiasts.

Arizona, led by head coach Kevin Sumlin, has shown impressive offensive firepower in their first few games. Quarterback Khalil Tate has been a standout player, showcasing his dual-threat abilities and making big plays both through the air and on the ground. The Wildcats’ high-powered offense will be a tough challenge for Iowa State’s defense to contain.

On the other side of the ball, Iowa State has been solid on defense, holding opponents to low scoring totals and creating turnovers. Head coach Matt Campbell has instilled a tough, disciplined mentality in his team, and they will look to disrupt Arizona’s offensive rhythm and force turnovers.

In terms of predictions, this game is shaping up to be a close one. Both teams have strengths that could give them an edge, but it may ultimately come down to which team can execute better on game day. Arizona’s explosive offense could give them the upper hand, but Iowa State’s stout defense could make things difficult for the Wildcats.

As for picks, it’s a tough call. Arizona may have the slight edge due to their offensive firepower, but Iowa State’s defense could keep them in the game. Ultimately, it may come down to which team can make key plays in crucial moments.

In terms of odds, sportsbooks have Arizona as a slight favorite in this matchup. The Wildcats are currently sitting at -3.5, indicating that they are expected to win by a small margin. However, Iowa State is not to be underestimated, and they could certainly pull off an upset if they play their cards right.

Overall, this Big 12 showdown between Arizona and Iowa State is shaping up to be a thrilling game with plenty of excitement and drama. Fans can expect a hard-fought battle between two talented teams vying for supremacy in the conference. Be sure to tune in this weekend to see who comes out on top in this highly anticipated matchup.