The Iowa State Cyclones (5-2) look to extend their five-game winning streak against the Iowa Hawkeyes (3-3) at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 7, 2017, and will air on ESPN2.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 152.5 points with Iowa State opening as a 6.5-point favorite.
Iowa Hawkeyes at Iowa State Cyclones ATS Prediction
In the Hawkeyes’ last matchup, they were topped by the Indiana Hoosiers, 77-64. Indiana’s free throw rate was their largest advantage over Iowa. The Hoosiers had a rate of 0.227 (below their season average of 0.259), while the Hawkeyes posted a mark of 0.062 (below their season average of 0.293). Brady Ellingson was the game’s high scorer with 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting.
The Cyclones beat the Northern Illinois Huskies in their last contest, 94-80. The Cyclones knocked down 12 of their 16 free throws (75.0 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 9.9 (better than their season average of 15.6). Lindell Wigginton was the game’s high scorer with 28 points on 9-for-15 shooting.
Iowa State may have difficulty getting to the free throw line in this meeting. Since the 2016-17 season, the Cyclones rank 323rd in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.198, while Iowa ranks 26th in FTA rate allowed (0.187).
Iowa heads into the contest with records of 3-3 straight up (SU) and 1-4-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total high when the Hawkeyes are involved, as four of their 6 games have ended under the total.
Iowa State has an excellent 5-2 SU record, but they are just 2-5 ATS. Similarly to Iowa, games involving the Cyclones also have a tendency to go under the O/U total (57.1 percent).
The Hawkeyes won the only contest against the Cyclones last season, 78-64. Iowa did a great job of converting from the charity stripe (17-24; 70.8 percent). Iowa State, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (12.9 vs. 16.5).
Iowa Hawkeyes at Iowa State Cyclones Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Iowa State, ATS Winner – Iowa State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
Iowa State ranks 54th in assists per game (15.5) while Iowa ranks 297th in assists allowed per game (16.9).
The Cyclones rank 29th in steals allowed per game (5.0) while the Hawkeyes rank 263rd (7.8).
Iowa averages 38.9 rebounds per game, which ranks 36th in the nation. Iowa State ranks 261st in rebounds allowed per game (37.6).
The Cyclones average 24.3 three pointers per game, which ranks 66th in the NCAA. The Hawkeyes rank 258th in three pointers allowed per game (23.4).
Iowa averages 4.2 blocks per game, which ranks 66th in the nation. Iowa State ranks 143rd in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
