Betting Guide for Kansas vs Iowa State: Odds, Predictions, and Props for Jan. 15th

• The #2 Iowa State Cyclones are 6.5-point favorites over the #9 Kansas Jayhawks tonight
• The under is 14-1 in Jayhawks games this season
• Check out the Kansas vs Iowa State odds, predictions and props, below

Big 12 heavyweights clash tonight as #9 Kansas (12-3, 3-1 Big 12) visits #2 Iowa State (14-1, 4-0 Big 12). The Cyclones’ top-2 ranking is the highest mark in program history, and online sportsbooks expect them to stay undefeated in conference play per the college basketball odds. Tipoff for this Big 12 showdown is scheduled for 7pm ET from Hilton Coliseum, in Ames, IA, with ESPN2 providing the broadcast coverage.

Kansas vs Iowa State Odds

Iowa State is currently favored by 6.5-points, which is up a full point from the opener spread. The total sits at 144, a number we see value on as we’ll discuss.

Odds as of January 15 at BetMGM. Be sure to check out the best BetMGM promo code before placing a bet on any college hoops game tonight.

Kansas vs Iowa State Prediction

• Under 144 (-110)

While the Cyclones have reached a new high ranking wise, the Jayhawks are down eight spots since the season began. Kanas was the preseason number one in the polls, which appeared justified after a 7-0 start.

Since then, they’ve posted an underwhelming 5-3 mark, and the step back can be attributed to a lack of offense. Hunter Dickinson, a Wooden Award odds contender, leads the team offensively, but is averaging his lowest point total since his freshman season.

Zeke Mayo, the team’s second leading scorer is also in the midst of a down season. Mayo is averaging only 14 points per game, four less than a season ago. He’s shooting just 46% from the field, and a career-low 36.8% from three.

Kansas has scored less than 70 points in half of their last eight contests, including just 54 points last time out versus Cincinnati. As a team, their outside shooting has been abysmal. They’re making just 33% of their 3’s this season, and only 26% in conference play. They rank 32^nd in offensive efficiency this season, and 124th nationally in scoring.

They’ve salvaged their season with defense. The Jayhawks are fourth in defensive efficiency and first in Big 12 play. They rank 14th in defensive rebounding, and have yielded 62 or fewer points in six straight games.

The game of the night in college basketball is at Hilton Coliseum as Iowa State hosts Kansas.

Bill Self has an all-time record of 14-6 in Ames against the Cyclones.

Just another night in the Big 12.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 15, 2025

Iowa State meanwhile, is experiencing a bit of a shift in identify. The Cyclones are once again a strong defensive unit, but this year their offense is exceeding expectations. Iowa State is sixth in offensive efficiency, and feature five players who average in double-figures. That group is led by Curtis Jones and Keshon Gilbert, with the former leading the nation with six 20+point games off the bench.

Defensively, they have three big bodies to throw at Dickinson, to make the senior’s life miserable. The Cyclones are ninth in defensive efficiency this season, 12th in turnover percentage and 15th in steals.

With two strong defenses squaring off, targeting under 144 points makes sense. The rest of the betting community agrees, as 86% of the early over/under tickets are on that side, as is 87% of the total handle.

We should be actively fading the Kansas offense until their efficiency improves. It’s a bit scary fading the Iowa State shooters, but they’ve yet to face a defense as stingy as the Jayhawks.

The trends also support the under, especially from the Kansas side. The Jayhawks are 14-1 in favor of the under this season, with each of their past 10 games falling short of the total. Eight of those 10 Kansas outings have failed to reach 140 points, while the under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings between these two rivals.

Kansas vs Iowa State Props

• Curtis Jones Under 18.5 Points

Switching over the player props market, we’re looking to bet the under on Jones’ point total. The line currently sits at 18.5, which is a full point more than he averages per outing.

Jones has routinely cleared this number versus inferior competition, thanks to efficient shooting numbers and by getting to the line. Those are two areas the Kansas defense excels at limiting.

Kansas Defense in the last two second halves:

13 points allowed
15 points allowed

Not going to lose any games doing that.

— Talkin’ Hawks (@TalkinHawks) January 11, 2025

The Jayhawks are holding enemy shooters to a 42.6% effective field goal percentage over 15 games. Only 12 teams yield a lower shooting percentage from 3, and Kansas is only permitting 16 trips to the charity stripe per outing.

The highly anticipated matchup between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Iowa State Cyclones is set to take place on January 15th, and fans and bettors alike are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting game. With both teams boasting talented rosters and strong performances so far this season, this game is sure to be a close one.

When it comes to betting on this game, there are a few key factors to consider. Let’s take a look at the odds, predictions, and props for this matchup to help you make an informed decision.

Odds:
As of now, the odds for this game are fairly evenly matched, with Kansas being slight favorites. The Jayhawks are currently sitting at -3.5, while the Cyclones are at +3.5. The over/under for the game is set at 140 points.

Predictions:
Both Kansas and Iowa State have been playing well this season, with the Jayhawks boasting a record of 14-2 and the Cyclones sitting at 12-4. Kansas is coming off a big win against Oklahoma State, while Iowa State is coming off a close loss to Texas Tech.

In terms of predictions, this game could really go either way. Kansas has a strong offense led by Ochai Agbaji and Jalen Wilson, while Iowa State has a solid defense that could give the Jayhawks some trouble. Ultimately, it may come down to which team can execute better on both ends of the court.

Props:
When it comes to props for this game, there are a few options to consider. You could bet on the total points scored by both teams, the total rebounds, or even individual player props. Keep an eye on key players like David McCormack for Kansas and Tyrese Hunter for Iowa State when considering your prop bets.

Overall, this game is shaping up to be a close and competitive matchup between two talented teams. Whether you’re a fan looking to add some excitement to the game or a bettor looking to make some money, there are plenty of opportunities to get in on the action. Just remember to do your research, consider the odds and predictions, and make informed decisions when placing your bets. Good luck!