- The #4 Auburn Tigers face the #5 Iowa State Cyclones in the Maui Invitational on Monday night
- This will be the Cyclones first game against a top-200 team while Auburn already knocked off then-#4 Houston
- See the Auburn vs Iowa State odds, player props, picks, and predictions for Nov. 25 in Maui
One of the most intriguing games of the early season takes place tonight as the #4 Auburn Tigers (4-0, 3-0-1 ATS) battle the #5 Iowa State Cyclones (3-0, 1-2 ATS) at the Maui Invitational. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 pm ET and battle-tested Auburn is a sizable 4.5-point favorite.
Auburn vs Iowa State Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn Tigers | -4.5 (-105) | -200 | Over 144.5 (-105) |
| Iowa State Cyclones | +4.5 (-115) | +170 | Under 144.5 (-115) |
The Tigers are also -200 chalk on the moneyline with the Cyclones coming back at +170 to win straight-up. The game total is sitting at 144.5 with the under slightly favored at -115.
Odds as of Nov. 25 at ESPN Bet. Check out SBD’s ESPN Bet review.
Coming off a disappointing first-round exit in the 2024 NCAA Tournament – losing to #13 Yale as a #4 seed – Auburn appears to be a team on a mission this season. They are a perfect 4-0 straight-up and 3-0-1 against the spread. The Tigers own arguably the best win of the season to date, taking down the then-#4 Houston Cougars in Houston (74-69) back on Nov. 9.
Senior forward Johni Broome has announced himself as a credible contender in the Wooden Award odds, averaging 20.0 PPG and 11.3 RPG through four games. But Auburn’s offense is far from a one-man show. Four other Tigers are averaging in double-figures and their offense currently rates second in the nation at KenPom, behind only 5-0 Gonzaga.
Iowa State is coming off a run to the Sweet 16 last season as a #2 seed, where they fell 72-69 to #3 Illinois. Head coach TJ Otzelberger gave his team an easy ride prior to Maui, schedule three home games against teams that all rank 236 or worse at KenPom. The Cyclones won all three by 25 or more but are still just 1-2 against the spread so far.
Iowa State returns a ton of production from last year’s Sweet 16 team. Four of Otzelberger’s starting five are back (his four leaders in both minutes played and scoring) from a group that finished first in the nation in Defensive Efficiency at KenPom.
Iowa State has held all three of its opponents this season to 56 points or fewer and are surrendering just 50.7 PPG.
Auburn vs Iowa State Player Props
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaney Johnson (AUB) | 9.5 (Ov -100 | Un -130) | 4.5 (Ov -122 | Un -114) | OFF |
| Curtis Jones (ISU) | 12.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) | OFF | OFF |
| Denver Jones (AUB) | 9.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110) | OFF | OFF |
| Johni Broome (AUB) | 18.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | 9.5 (Ov -116| Un -122) | OFF |
| Keshon Gilbert (ISU) | 12.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) | OFF | 4.5 (Ov +114 | Un -160) |
| Miles Kelly (AUB) | 9.5 (Ov -105 | Un -125) | OFF | OFF |
| Tamin Lipsey (AUB) | 11.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | OFF | OFF |
Player props from FanDuel on Nov. 25. See SBD’s list of PayPal betting sites.
Broome has the highest point total of night by a wide margin. At 18.5, he’s six clear of any other player on the board. Curtis Jones and Keshon Gilbert have the highest totals on the board for Iowa State at just 12.5. Jones currently leads the team, averaging 15.0 PPG after three lopsided wins.
Auburn vs Iowa State Predictions
- Iowa State moneyline (+170)
- Under 144.5 (-110)
I don’t dislike Auburn but this line is too juicy to ignore. The Cyclones were a top-ten team throughout last season thanks to their suffocating defense, and they’re basically the same squad this year. They have size and length all over the floor and will be able to throw multiple guys at Broome without conceding too much on the perimeter.
This game is much more of a toss-up than the odds suggest.
I am also backing the under. Iowa State’s first three games have averaged just 134.7 PPG, and Auburn stayed under 144.5 in each of its first three games before a 102-69 blowout over North Alabama on Monday.
Auburn brings the #5 D in the nation to Maui in terms of Defensive Efficiency, and is only playing at the 150th-fastest pace in the country (much slower than last year, when they finished 59th in tempo).
Sascha Paruk’s 2024-25 NCAAM betting record: 5-1 (+3.39 units). All wagers one unit unless expressly stated otherwise.
The highly anticipated matchup between the Auburn Tigers and Iowa State Cyclones is set to take place this weekend, and fans and bettors alike are eagerly awaiting the outcome. With both teams boasting talented rosters and strong coaching staffs, this game is sure to be a close and exciting one.
When it comes to betting odds, sportsbooks have Auburn listed as the slight favorite in this matchup. The Tigers are currently sitting at -3.5 on the spread, meaning they are favored to win by at least 4 points. The over/under for total points scored in the game is set at 54.5, indicating that oddsmakers are expecting a relatively high-scoring affair.
In terms of player props, there are several key players to keep an eye on in this game. For Auburn, quarterback Bo Nix will be a focal point of the offense, as he looks to lead the Tigers to victory. Running back Tank Bigsby will also play a crucial role in the ground game, as he looks to exploit Iowa State’s defense.
On the other side of the ball, Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy will be looking to lead his team to victory against a tough Auburn defense. Running back Breece Hall will also be a key player to watch, as he looks to establish the run game and keep the Cyclones’ offense moving down the field.
As for predictions, this game is shaping up to be a close one. Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance this season, but also have had their fair share of struggles. Ultimately, I believe that Auburn will come out on top in this matchup, thanks to their strong defense and explosive offense led by Bo Nix.
In conclusion, the Auburn vs Iowa State game is sure to be an exciting one for fans and bettors alike. With betting odds favoring Auburn and key players to watch on both sides of the ball, this game has all the makings of a classic showdown. Be sure to tune in this weekend to see who comes out on top in this highly anticipated matchup.
