Can Arizona upset Iowa State on the road? Our expert college basketball handicapper breaks down the matchup with a free ATS pick and prediction.
Meta Title Variations:
Arizona and Iowa State, both NCAA tournament-bound, hook up for what should be a fun Big 12 bash to watch and bet Saturday night in Ames.
Neither of these teams can win the Big 12 title – Houston already did that – but both can still earn double byes for the upcoming conference tournament. And a victory for either team Saturday night will certainly enhance their seating at the Big Dance.
These teams just went to overtime five weeks ago. How are we playing this game with our free college basketball betting pick?
NCAAB Betting Odds
Saturday’s CBB betting market opened Iowa State at -6 over Arizona, with an over/under of right around 153.
Early betting action edged that line to -6.5 and dipped that total to 151.
Arizona-Iowa State Betting Preview
The Wildcats just bounced back from a loss to BYU last weekend to beat Utah Wednesday night 83-66. Arizona, favored at -15, led by 14 at the half, then pushed that advantage to 24 midway through the second half and eased home from there.
The Wildcats only shot 41 percent from the floor Wednesday but held the Utes to just 34 percent shooting.
Two games ago Arizona allowed BYU to shoot 55 percent from the field and lost 96-95. However, that was the first time this season an opponent shot 50 percent against the Wildcats.
At 13-4 in conference play Arizona sits in second place in the Big 12, two games ahead of fourth-place Iowa State and Brigham Young. So with a win Saturday, the Wildcats would clinch one of the top four seeds for the upcoming Big 12 tournament, which earns one a double bye into the semifinals.
Meanwhile, the Cyclones are coming off back-to-back losses, including a 74-68 decision at Oklahoma State Tuesday night. Iowa State, favored at -11, trailed by 14 at the half. ISU rallied to within four with two minutes left but that’s as close as they got.
The Cyclones shot just 41 percent from the field Tuesday and turned the ball over 18 times.
Two games ago Iowa State shot just 39 percent and lost at Houston 68-59.
At 11-6 in conference play the Cyclones are tied with BYU for fourth place in the Big 12, chasing that top-four finish.
Arizona took the first meeting this season between these teams 86-75 in overtime in Tucson back in January. The Wildcats trailed that game by three late, tied it on a half-court heave at the buzzer, then rode Big Mo to victory in OT.
That game was very equal all across the stat sheet and neither team ever led by more than five points in the second half until Arizona pulled away in overtime.
Also, that game played under a total of 153 through regulation, tied at 71-71, then played over in OT.
On the injury front Iowa State PG Keshon Gilbert (14 pts., five ass. per game) missed the last couple games (muscle strain) and is still listed as questionable for Saturday night.
Statistically Speaking
Arizona is shooting 47 percent from the field this season while Iowa State is holding opponents to 42 percent shooting.
The Cyclones are shooting 48 percent from the floor while the Wildcats are holding foes to 41 percent shooting.
Arizona is out-rebounding opponents by a per-game margin of 37-29; ISU by 34-28.
Finally, the Wildcats own a 17/12 per-game assist/turnover ratio, the Cyclones 15/12.
Common Opponent
These two teams have played one common opponent recently, Houston. Two weeks ago Arizona took the Cougars to the final minute before succumbing 62-58. Then last week Iowa State lost to Houston 68-59.
Arizona-Iowa State Betting Trends
Arizona is 3-2 ATS as an underdog this season.
Iowa State is 7-8 ATS at home this season, favored by a bit too much a bit too often.
Totals Report
The overs are 15-13 in Wildcats games this season, which are averaging 152 total points.
The unders are 16-12 in Cyclones games, which are averaging 147 points.
