Can the Cyclones Blow Past Another Opponent?
Washington State vs Iowa State Predictions Has the Big 12 Champs Favored
The Washington State vs Iowa State predictions favor the Cyclones
Iowa State made it eight wins in the last nine games as the Cyclones never trailed in a convincing win over No. 15 seed South Dakota State. A win over Washington State would put Iowa State into the regionals for the second time in the last three seasons. The Washington State vs Iowa State predictions favor the Cyclones.
This could be among the most improbable of the NCAA second-round matchups, with Iowa State tied for the eighth-best odds to win the Big 12 and Washington State 11th out of 12 teams in the Pac-12 championship odds when the season began.
This is the first meeting between Iowa State and Washington State.
The college basketball betting lines list Iowa State as the 7.5-point favorite.
When looking at the best college basketball teams, Iowa State moved up to No. 4 in both national polls after stunning Houston in the Big 12 title game. Washington State is 25th in the Associated Press poll, and the Cougars fell out of the top 25 in the USA Today coaches poll. Drake is receiving votes in both national polls.
Iowa State is eighth at +1600 in the NCAA tournament odds, while Washington State is well back at +12500 in the odds of winning March Madness.
Keep on reading for more on the East Region second-round matchup between No. 2 seed Iowa State and No. 7 seed Washington State.
Washington State Cougars vs Iowa State Cyclones 
Day/Time:
Location:CHI Health Center Omaha, Omaha, NE
Streaming: TNT
Defense Never Rests for the Cougars
Washington State found itself trailing by six points midway through the second half against Drake with the Cougars not taking the lead until less than four minutes remained.
Washington State has now played 15 games decided by less than 10 points and is 9-6 in those contests. That could factor into the Washington State vs Iowa State predictions.
It was the defense that got the Cougars into the second round of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2008, as Washington State didn’t make a basket in the final 1:52 of the game, but the Cougars kept Drake from regaining the lead as Drake missing seven of its last nine games.
Washington State is 13-6 against the spread over its last 19 games.
Cyclones Hitting Their Mark
Iowa State flexed its defensive muscles in a convincing win over Houston in the championship game of the Big 12 tournament. The offense got going in the first March Madness game.
Freshman Milan Momcilovic had 19 points and five rebounds in an 82-65 win over No. 15 seed South Dakota State. That was the highest point total for Iowa State since a Feb. 17 win over Texas Tech. Keep that in mind when looking at the Washington State vs Iowa State predictions.
Momcilovic had 18 points in the win over Houston and followed that up with 19 points in the victory against South Dakota State.
In its current four-game winning streak, Iowa State has won by 19, 14, 28, and 17 points.
The total has gone under in eight of the last nine games.
Washington State vs Iowa State Betting Preview
Don’t be expecting many offensive fireworks in this game as Washington State shot less than 40% from the field in its March Madness opener and Iowa State also relies on its defense. The Cyclones are fourth nationally in defensive efficiency according to the Pomeroy college basketball database with Washington State 23rd in defensive efficiency.
Iowa State is 23-3 as a favorite this season, with the Cyclones covering in 18 of those games. Washington State is comfortable in the role of the underdog with a 6-4 record when facing a favored team.
Both teams are 4-3 against the spread at neutral sites this season.
The Cougars are just 1-6 against the spread in neutral-site matchups.
Iowa State has covered four of its last five games, but when looking at the NCAA basketball schedule, the Cyclones are 1-5 against the spread in its last six games against Pac-12 teams.
The total went under in six of the last seven games that Iowa State has played on a Saturday. Each of Washington’s last eight matchups with Big 12 programs went under the total, with the total set at 129 for this game, which is one of the lowest numbers among the second-round games.
Iowa State looked like a title contender when it raced out to the 17-3 lead against South Dakota State. Washington State knows as its two games against ranked teams this season were decided by four points or less. Look for Iowa State to punch its ticket to the Sweet 16 but it might be a struggle to cover as 7.5-point favorites.
The best option could be to go with this game to land over the 129-point total.
For NCAAB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
