Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Iowa State Cyclones Odds
| Oklahoma State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12.5 -110 | 135.5 -110o / -110u | +550 |
| Iowa State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12.5 -110 | 135.5 -110o / -110u | -800 |
Let's take a look at the Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Iowa State Cyclones odds and make a prediction for Saturday's college basketball matchup in the Big 12.
The Big 12 conference is college basketball's best conference. Twelve of the 14 Big 12 teams rank in KenPom's top 100 and the only two outside the top 100 are Oklahoma State (102) and West Virginia (144). Well, Oklahoma State is set to meet Iowa State in Ames on Saturday.
Here's the best way to bet the Big 12 battle.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State is a relatively inexperienced team in terms of cohesion. Oklahoma State starts two upperclassmen guards — Javon Small and Bryce Thompson — who Mike Boynton relies on for scoring. However, the three youngsters — Quion Williams, Eric Dailey and Brandon Garrison — form the Cowboys' defensive identity.
The Achilles heel of Oklahoma State's offense is ball security. The Cowboys turn the ball over on 19.2% of possessions, which ranks 270th nationally. That's not unexpected for a young team, but it's an unfortunate trend for Boynton-coached teams. That's regularly halted the consistency of Oklahoma State's offense over the past five seasons, and this year is no exception.
Garrison is a massively underrated piece of the Cowboys puzzle. The former top-45 recruit scored a career-best 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds in Saturday's narrow loss against Baylor. He's improving game-by-game, so he's one to watch going forward.
Oklahoma State's offense typically does one of two things — turn the ball over or take a 3. The Cowboys attempt 3s on 42% of their offensive possessions and shoot 36% from 3. The biggest difference is Javon Small, a veteran transfer from East Carolina, who is shooting 41% from downtown in his first season in Stillwater.
Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State is always consistent under T.J. Otzelberger. Since coming over three seasons ago, he's largely changed the program and did so by improving the defense. The Cyclones rank third in defensive efficiency and just beat top-five ranked Houston a few days ago.
Hilton Magic isn't mythical. It's real.
Iowa State has won every home game by double-figures besides the Houston game. I'm not sure where the magic comes from, but Iowa State always performs at home.
Not only is Iowa State's defense stout, but it's also one of the best at forcing turnovers. Otzelberger's team forces turnovers on 26% of it defensive possessions, which is one of the best marks in college hoops. Point guard Tamin Lipsey is the head of the defensive snake and regularly causes havoc for opposing point guards.
Iowa State's offense could be better, but it's not bad. It ranks 51st in offensive efficiency, but much of the scoring comes from the defense forcing turnovers. In a half-court setting, the Cyclones' offense is fairly limited and is based on Lipsey driving and either scoring or passing out to shooters Milan Momcilovic and Curtis Jones.
Oklahoma State vs. Iowa State
Betting Pick & Prediction
I just can't see a ton of points coming from either side in this game. Both teams want to win with defense, so expect a low-scoring affair in Ames.
Pick: Under 136.5 (Play to 135)
