Dec. 30: Iowa State vs Colorado – Betting Odds, Game Predictions, and Player Prop Bets

• The #3 Iowa State Cyclones visit the Colorado Buffaloes in Big 12 action on Monday night
• The Cyclones crushed the Buffs (99-71) in Maui a month ago
• See the Iowa State vs Colorado odds, player props, and predictions for Dec. 30

The #3 Iowa State Cyclones (10-1, 1-0 away, 6-5 ATS) bring a seven-game win streak into Boulder on Monday night when they visit the Colorado Buffaloes (9-2, 8-0 home, 6-5 ATS), who are playing their first conference game as a member of the Big 12. Tip-off at CU Events Center is slated for 7:00 pm MT/9:00 pm ET, and the Cyclones are big road favorites in Monday’s college basketball odds.

Iowa State vs Colorado Odds

Iowa State is listed as an 8.5-point road favorite on Monday night and -455 on the moneyline. The Buffaloes come back as +333 home underdogs, despite going a perfect 8-0 on their home court so far this season.

Odds as of Dec. 30 at BetMGM. Read SBD’s BetMGM review to see the available promo codes. 

Ironically, while this is CU’s first game in the Big 12, these teams already met earlier this year in Maui, which resulted in a dominant 99-71 win for the Cyclones.

Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic (11.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG) was red-hot on that night, going 6-of-9 from three while scoring a game-high 24 points. Buffs leading scorer Julian Hammond (13.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 3.5 APG) had a team-high 20 in a losing effort.

Coming off a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Colorado lost its three leading scorers from last season (KJ Simpson, Tristan da Silva, and Cody Williams) to the pros, while their fourth and fifth-leading scorers (J’Vonne Hadley and Eddie Lampkin Jr) both transferred.

While Colorado has one quality victory over UConn (73-72, also in Maui) on its early-season resume, it’s trio of games at that tournament (where they also lost to Michigan State, 72-56) are there only ones this season against top-100 KenPom teams. As such, while their 9-2 overall record (and 8-0 home record) look nice on the surface, they have basically treaded water in the metrics. They opened the year 79th at KenPom and currently sit 78th. They’ve made a bigger jump at Torvik, going from 107 to 88 over their first 11 games.

ISU vs COLO Player Props

Player props as of Dec. 30 at FanDuel. Check out SBD’s list of betting apps that accept Venmo.

The Iowa State vs Colorado aren’t extensive but there are a few to choose from. Keshon Gilbert (16.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 5.2 APG) has the highest point total of the night at just 15.5. Gilbert is also the only player with an assist total, listed at 4.5 O/U.

Hammond leads the Buffs players with a point total of 13.5.

Iowa State vs Colorado Prediction

Iowa State has made a huge leap offensively this season, despite having basically the same roster that finished just 52nd in offensive efficiency last year. They currently rank third out of 364 DI teams in offensive efficiency this season, and though their defense has dipped (falling from #1 last season to #14 this season), they still have all the length and athleticism that allowed them to stifle opponents on a nightly basis last year.

That said, Colorado has shown a decent amount of resilience amid all the turnover. Since losing to ISU in Maui, the Buffs have won four straight – all at home – by nine or more points. That includes a 72-55 drubbing of rival Colorado State.

Tad Boyle’s team is improving and the win over UConn shows their fairly high ceiling. Colorado is catching as many as 9.5 points tonight and that’s too many for me to pass up.

• ISU vs COLO pick: Colorado +9.5 (-110) at FanDuel

Sascha Paruk’s 2024-25 NCAAM betting record: 10-7 (+2.54 units). All wagers one unit unless expressly stated otherwise.

On December 30th, college basketball fans will be treated to an exciting matchup between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Colorado Buffaloes. Both teams have had solid starts to the season and will be looking to secure a key victory as they head into conference play.

When it comes to betting odds, the Iowa State vs Colorado game is expected to be a close one. As of now, the Cyclones are slight favorites with odds of -2.5, while the Buffaloes are underdogs with odds of +2.5. This indicates that oddsmakers believe Iowa State has a slight edge in this matchup.

In terms of game predictions, this contest has the potential to be a high-scoring affair. Both teams have shown the ability to put up points in bunches, so fans can expect a fast-paced and exciting game. Iowa State’s high-powered offense, led by standout guard Tyrese Haliburton, will look to push the pace and create scoring opportunities. On the other hand, Colorado’s strong defense, anchored by forward Tyler Bey, will aim to slow down the Cyclones and force turnovers.

For those looking to add some extra excitement to the game, player prop bets are a great way to get involved. Some potential prop bets to consider for this matchup include over/under on total points scored by Tyrese Haliburton, total rebounds by Tyler Bey, and total assists by Colorado guard McKinley Wright IV. These prop bets can add an extra layer of intrigue to the game and give fans more opportunities to win big.

Overall, the Iowa State vs Colorado game promises to be a thrilling showdown between two talented teams. With betting odds favoring the Cyclones and predictions pointing towards a high-scoring affair, fans can expect an entertaining game with plenty of action on both ends of the court. Whether you’re a casual fan looking to spice up your viewing experience or a seasoned bettor looking for some extra action, this game is sure to deliver excitement and drama.