Iowa State vs Iowa Prediction, NCAAB Picks for Dec 12: Bet Iowa State -6.5

Nearly one month into the season, number three Iowa State is looking like a legitimate National Championship contender. The Cyclones’ next challenge will be a road game at in-state rival Iowa, part of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series.

Despite being on the road, the Cyclones are still reasonably heavy favorites, with a college basketball betting line of -6.5 points.

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Iowa State vs Iowa Game Information

• Game: Iowa State (7-1) vs Iowa (7-2)
• Location: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, IA
• Date/Time: Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.
• Iowa State vs Iowa Live Stream: TBS.com

Check updated Iowa State vs Iowa injuries here.

3 Iowa State vs Iowa NCAAB Picks for Dec 12

1. Iowa State vs Iowa Over 159.5

The over/under poses the most difficult NCAAB pick, as neither team trends strongly in either direction this season. But what is indisputable is that both teams are offensive powerhouses.

The Cyclones’ 87.8 points per game is eighth-best in the nation, while the Hawkeyes aren’t too far behind with 86.1. But that offense is reflected in the 159.5-point figure, the highest of any game for Thursday at BetUS Sportsbook. The teams score differently, as Iowa is fast-paced, getting off a whopping 65 field goals per contest. Meanwhile, the Cyclones average 59, but make up for that by shooting just over 50 percent from the floor. That number sits just outside the top 10 in the nation, as does their nearly 20 free-throws attempted per game.

The Cyclones have only eclipsed 159 three times, all taking place at the Maui Invitational. They even stayed under that number against the then-top-five ranked Marquette. Though outside of Auburn and Marquette, they have not faced an offense as effective as the Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes have done so in five of nine games while hitting the number exactly in one.

The signs here point that these two high-powered offenses should eclipse the 159-point college basketball line.

Bet This Pick: Iowa State vs Iowa Over 159.5

2. Iowa State ML (-275)

The name of the game for Iowa State has been depth and offensive efficiency. Keshon Gilbert leads the team with over 17 points per game while dishing out more than five assists. Big wing Milan Momcilovic is just one of 16 players in the nation to shoot over 50 percent from three, doing so on 42 attempts, while Curtis Jones knocks down 40 percent of his attempts on higher volume. As for inside the arc, big man Dishon Jackson averages double-figures while shooting 67 percent from the floor.

Iowa’s strong start has come as a result of an easy schedule, as the Hawkeyes were picked to finish 11th of 18 teams in the Big 10 preseason coaches’ poll. Their best player comes in the form of big man Owen Freeman, who averages nearly 17 points on 64 percent shooting. Payton Sandfort also averages over 16 points per contest. While the Hawkeyes have gotten off to a nice start, they have yet to face an opponent with the potential National Championship pedigree as Iowa State, and even on their home floor, we do not believe they will be able to pull off the upset.

Make sure to include Iowa State’s moneyline in your college basketball picks and parlays today.

Bet This Pick: Iowa State ML (-275)

3. Iowa State ATS -6.5

Now that we’ve predicted Iowa State to take the game outright, will they cover the six-point college basketball spread? This marks Iowa State’s first true road game, as its only games outside of Ames were neutral site games in Maui. But Iowa has not fared well lately as home underdogs of fewer than seven points, losing its last seven games as such.

Iowa State has been strong against the spread of late, covering in five of its last six, including the strong straight-up win against Marquette and covering in its lone loss of the season to Auburn. We will follow these trends and back the Cyclones to cover the 6.5-point college basketball betting line.

Bet This Pick: Iowa State -6.5

Iowa State vs Iowa Score Prediction

Iowa State 86, Iowa 78

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.

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