- The Iowa State Cyclones visit the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Thursday night
- The Hawkeyes won last year’s meeting but the Cyclones have won four of the last six
- See the Iowa State vs Iowa odds, predictions, and player props for Dec. 12, 2024
The Cy-Hawk rivalry resumes on Thursday night in Iowa City as the #3 Iowa State Cyclones (7-1, 0-0 away, 5-3 ATS) visit the Iowa Hawkeyes (7-2, 6-0 home, 4-5 ATS) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena at 6:30 pm CT/7:30 pm ET. Though the Hawkeyes are a perfect 6-0 at home so far this season, the Cyclones are 6.5-point road favorites.
Iowa State vs Iowa Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa State Cyclones | -6.5 (-120) | -270 | O 159.5 (-110) |
| Iowa Hawkeyes | +6.5 (-100) | +220 | U 159.5 (-115) |
The Cyclones are also -270 moneyline favorites while the Hawkeyes come back as +220 home underdogs. The over/under is sitting at 159.5.
Odds as of Dec. 12 at ESPN Bet. Lock in this ESPN Bet promo code to land a bonus for tonight’s college basketball slate.
Iowa State has a reputation as a slow-paced, defense-first team but that narrative is shifting this year. Iowa State still has a stifling defense, which is rated eighth in efficiency at KenPom, but they’re playing at the 89th-fastest tempo (compared to 202nd last year) and their offensive efficiency has jumped from 52nd to seventh.
The Cyclones only loss this season came against then-#4 Auburn in Maui (83-81), a game in which they blew an 18-point halftime lead.
Guards Keshon Gilbert (17.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 5.5 APG) and Curtis Jones (16.3 PPG, .5 RPG, 2.8 APG) lead the team in scoring so far.
Iowa’s two losses both came away from home to top-50 teams. They fell 77-69 to Utah State in Kansas City on Nov. 22 and lost to Big Ten rival Michigan (85-83 away) last Saturday.
Their best wins this season were a 76-66 win over Washington State (#74 at KenPom) in Illinois, and a 80-79 home victory over Northwestern (#58) in their Big Ten opener.
Iowa has four players averaging double-figures, lead by forwards Owen Freeman (16.8 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.3 APG) and Payton Sandfort (16.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.0 APG).
ISU vs IOWA Player Props
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curtis Jones (ISU) | 15.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) | 4.5 (Ov +106 | Un -148) | OFF |
| Josh Dix (IOW) | 11.5 (Ov -105 | Un -125) | OFF | OFF |
| Joshua Jefferson (ISU) | 10.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110) | 7.5 (Ov -144 | Un +102) | OFF |
| Keshon Gilbert (ISU) | 17.5 (Ov -100 | Un -130) | OFF | 4.5 (Ov -132 | Un -106) |
| Milan Momcilovic (ISU) | 11.5 (Ov -105 | Un -125) | OFF | OFF |
| Owen Freeman (IOW) | 15.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | 6.5 (Ov -120 | Un -116) | OFF |
| Payton Sandfort (IOW) | 17.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110) | 5.5 (Ov -122 | Un -110) | 3.5 (Ov -144 | Un +104) |
| Tamin Lipsey (ISU) | 7.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | OFF | 3.5 (Ov -160 | Un +114) |
Player props as of Dec. 12 at FanDuel. Check out SBD’s list of the best betting app.
Gilbert and Sandfort have the highest point totals of the night in the Iowa State vs Iowa player props, both listed at 17.5, though Sandfor is favored to go over (-120) while Gilbert is -130 to stay under that number.
ISU big man Joshua Jefferson (10.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG) has the highest rebound total of the night at 7.5.
Iowa State vs Iowa Predictions
This is a big number to cover on the road against a quality opponent, not to mention one that’s a hated rival. Iowa State dominated last year’s game in Ames (90-65) but the Cyclones have yet to play a true road game this season, and their performances in Maui were a mixed bag. I’m not going so far as to pick Iowa to win straight-up, but I will take the 6.5 points on offer.
- Iowa +6.5 (-115) at FanDuel
Sascha Paruk’s 2024-25 NCAAM betting record: 10-5 (+4.54 units). All wagers one unit unless expressly stated otherwise.
The highly anticipated matchup between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Iowa Hawkeyes is set to take place on December 12th, and fans are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting game. Both teams have had successful seasons so far, with Iowa State boasting a 7-2 record and Iowa sitting at 6-3.
When it comes to betting odds, Iowa State is currently favored to win by 3.5 points, with the over/under set at 54.5 points. This suggests that oddsmakers are expecting a close and high-scoring game between these two rivals.
In terms of predictions, it’s always difficult to predict the outcome of a rivalry game like this one. Both teams have strong offenses and defenses, so it could really go either way. However, Iowa State has been playing particularly well as of late, with wins over top-ranked teams like Oklahoma and Texas. On the other hand, Iowa has also been playing solid football and will be looking to make a statement in this game.
For those looking to add some extra excitement to the game, player prop bets are a popular option. Some potential prop bets to consider include over/under on total passing yards for Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy, total rushing yards for Iowa running back Tyler Goodson, and total tackles for Iowa linebacker Nick Niemann.
Overall, this game is shaping up to be a must-watch for college football fans. With both teams vying for bragging rights in the state of Iowa, expect a hard-fought battle that could come down to the wire. Whether you’re rooting for the Cyclones or the Hawkeyes, this game is sure to deliver plenty of excitement and drama.
