Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones Picks, Predictions, Odds

Dec. 9, 2021
Dan Dobish
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Iowa Hawkeyes (7-2) travel to meet the Iowa State Cyclones (8-0) on Wednesday in the James H. Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on ESPN2.

Score Prediction

Iowa State 83, Iowa 79

Best Bets

Iowa State +3.5 (-110) at DraftKings

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones Predictions

The Hawkeyes head into this one on a two-game skid, falling at Purdue on Dec. 3 by a 77-70 score, and getting dropped at home by Illinois, 87-83. They could be looking at a three-game losing streak with a ranked Cyclones team on the docket.

The Cyclones are eight up and eight down so far, including a solid 64-58 road win against Creighton as 5.5-point underdogs in Omaha. Iowa State has logged wins against Creighton, as well as Memphis and Xavier to build the resume. They also have a win over Oregon State, an Elite Eight team last season, although that's maybe not as impressive since the Beavers have struggled tremendously this season.

Iowa has won three in a row in this series, with Iowa State last winning back on Dec. 7, 2017 in Ames, pushing against the number that evening.

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones Betting Odds

Odds Provided by DraftKings - Subject to Change

  • Iowa -3.5 (-110)
  • Iowa State +3.5 (-110)
  • Over 150 (-110)
  • Under 150 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Big 10 vs. Big 12
  • Date: Thursday, December 9, 2021
  • Venue: James H. Hilton Coliseum
  • Location: Ames, Iowa
  • TV-Time: ESPN2 - 9:00 p.m. ET

Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 7-2
  • ATS: 6-3
  • O/U: 7-2

While Iowa has dropped two in a row to Illinois and Purdue, the Hawkeyes have registered a 4-1 ATS mark across the past five games overall. The Hawkeyes failed to cover last time out in the loss to the Fighting Illini, and they're 6-1 SU/4-3 ATS in seven games at the Hilton this season. Total bettors have enjoyed the Hawkeyes this season, particularly at home, as they're 6-1 in I-City. While this isn't a home game, the OVER is 7-2 in nine games overall for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa is fifth in the nation with 90.1 PPG, and they're 38th with 48.7% from the field. The good news for the Hawkeyes, particularly in a close game, is their ability from the free-throw line. They're 78.4% from the free-throw line. Defensively, Iowa is 216th in the nation, allowing 70.1 PPG, with 33.7% allowed from behind the arc, ranked 218th overall.

Iowa State Cyclones Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 8-0
  • ATS: 5-3
  • O/U: 3-5

The Cyclones have taken on all comers so far, hitting Ws in all eight games so far. They've been particularly strong against the number, cashing in four of the past five games. At home, the Cyclones are just 2-3 ATS, but those five games have been against tomato cans, and not quality opponents. In games with a single-digit line this season, Iowa State is a perfect 3-0 ATS.

Iowa State has alternated the OVER-UNDER in each of the past five outings, with an UNDER in Creighton. If you believe in those kind of circumstantial trends, an OVER is on schedule for Thursday. And with Iowa, and its high rate of OVER results, that might be the best bet on the board.


Iowa State is 4-1 ATS in the past five games overall. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Iowa Hawkeyes

  • Record: 7-2
  • VI Ranking: 28
  • PS/G: 90.1 (5th)
  • PA/G: 70.1 (215th)
  • ORtg: 124.2 (2nd)
  • DRtg: 96.6 (174th)

Inside the Stats - Iowa State Cyclones

  • Record: 8-0
  • VI Ranking: 12
  • PS/G: 75.1 (116th)
  • PA/G: 60.1 (43rd)
  • ORtg: 104.7 (147th)
  • DRtg: 83.8 (12th)

Key Players to Watch

  • IOWA – Keegan Murray - F (23.9 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.3 BPG, 1.4 APG)
  • IOWA – Kyle Murray - F (11.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.0 APG, 51.5 FG%)
  • IWST – Izaiah Brockington - G (16.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.0 SPG)
  • IWST – Tyrese Hunter - G (11.6 PPG, 5.4 APG, 3.6 RPG, 2.8 SPG)

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones Betting Conclusion

Iowa has ruled this series lately, winning three in a row. But this is the best Iowa State team in years, while Iowa enters on a two-game skid. I think the Cyclones certainly get a little bit of revenge with high-scoring victory against their rivals.

When these teams get together we have a ton of points usually. Last season we saw a total of 182 points, with Iowa posting the 105-77 victory. The OVER has connected in three of the past four meetings dating back to 2017, and the OVER is 8-2 across the past 10 meetings overall. Look for another high-scoring banger with the home side coming away with some much-needed revenge.

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones Betting Trends

  • Iowa is 4-1 ATS in the past five games overall.
  • Iowa is 5-0-1 ATS across the past six meetings.
  • Iowa State is 4-1 ATS in the past five games overall.
  • Iowa State is 2-5 ATS in the past seven home games.
  • The OVER is 7-2 in the past nine games overall for Iowa.
  • The UNDER is 5-2 in the past seven games overall for Iowa State.
  • The OVER is 8-2 in the past 10 games in this series.