Sign In $
College Basketball

TCU Horned Frogs vs. Iowa State Cyclones Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson
Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert
6 minute read

The Texas Christian Horned Frogs (12-3, 2-2 Big 12) travel to meet the Iowa State Cyclones (14-4, 2-4) for a Big 12 conference tilt at the James H. Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on ESPN2.

SCORE PREDICTION

TCU 68, Iowa State 66

BEST BETS

TCU ML+ 

TCU +6.5 (-110)

Over 127.5 (-110)

TCU HORNED FROGS VS. IOWA STATE CYCLONES PREDICTIONS

The Horned Frogs hop into this one looking to bounce back after a narrow 57-56 loss at Oklahoma State last time out, posting a season-low in offensive production. While TCU suffered the loss, it was able to pick up a cover for the third consecutive games. The offense has been flagging for a while, going for 56, 59 and 60 across the past three, so it's not an anomaly, but more of a regular happening since getting into conference play.

The Cyclones registered 12 consecutive victories to open the season, but they're just 2-4 SU across the past six outings, while going 2-3 ATS in the previous five games. The lone win in the past four contests is a 79-70 win over Texas on Jan. 15 in Ames. In that 72-60 loss at Texas Tech last time out, I-State posted a 37%, or 23-of-63, mark from the field, while hitting just 5-of-26, or 19%, from behind the 3-point line. Iowa State turned it over 16 times with 11 turnovers for TTU, while getting outrebounded 36-31. Isaiah Brockington was one of the few bright lights, with 12 points and nine rebounds in his 30 minutes, while Caleb Grill registered 17 points.

TCU HORNED FROGS VS. IOWA STATE CYCLONES BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds

TCU HORNED FROGS VS. IOWA STATE CYCLONES BETTING RESOURCES

  • Matchup: Big 12
  • Date: Saturday, January 22, 2022
  • Venue: James H. Hilton Coliseum
  • Location: Ames, Iowa
  • TV-Time: ESPN2 - 4:00 p.m. ET

TCU HORNED FROGS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

  • SU: 12-3
  • ATS: 8-5-2
  • O/U: 5-8-2

TCU might be 2-2 SU across the past four games, but it has helped bettors cashed plenty of tickets. The Horned Frogs have been cover kings lately, going 7-1 ATS in the past eight games, including each of the past three as an underdog, including two money line wins as a 'dog against Oklahoma and at K-State. The UNDER has connected in each of the past three, too.

The Horned Frogs have also managed to cover four straight on the road, while going an impressive 6-1-2 ATS in the past nine against teams with a winning overall record. In addition, the Horned Frogs are 4-1 ATS in the past five Saturday games, for whatever that's worth.

In terms of totals, the UNDER is 3-0-1 in the past four overall, although the OVER is 7-1 in the past eight for TCU against teams with a winning overall record.

IOWA STATE CYCLONES BETTING ANALYSIS

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

  • SU: 14-4
  • ATS: 11-7
  • O/U: 8-10

Iowa State has really struggled putting up victories against TCU in recent seasons. In fact, the Cyclones have managed just one win, on Feb. 25, 2020 in Ames, dating back to March 10, 2017. Iowa State is just 1-7 SU/3-5 ATS in the previous eight meetings, while the OVER has dominated at 3-1 in the previous four in the series, and 8-2 in the past 10.

The Cyclones have protected their home floor well, going 4-1 ATS in the past five outings, while going 9-3 ATS in the past 12 against teams with a winning overall record. As far as totals, the OVER is 11-2 in the past 13 against teams with a winning overall record, while going 5-2 in the past seven games overall. The OVER is also 21-10 in the past 31 following a straight-up loss, although the UNDER is 7-1 in the past eight after a non-cover.

TCU is 7-1 ATS in the past eight games overall. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - TCU HORNED FROGS

  • Record: 12-3
  • VI Ranking: 24
  • PS/G: 70.3 (219th)
  • PA/G: 61.8 (27th)
  • ORtg: 102.2 (181st)
  • DRtg: 89.9 (33rd)

INSIDE THE STATS - IOWA STATE CYCLONES

  • Record: 14-4
  • VI Ranking: 11
  • PS/G: 70.3 (216th)
  • PA/G: 60.0 (16th)
  • ORtg: 102.3 (178th)
  • DRtg: 87.2 (13th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • TCU: Mike Miles - G (16.3 PPG, 4.3 APG, 3.8 RPG, 1.3 SPG)
  • TCU: Emanuel Miller - F (10.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 48.4 FG%)
  • IWST: Isaiah Brockington - G (16.2 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.2 SPG)
  • IWST: Gabe Kalscheur - G (10.6 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.7 APG)

TCU HORNED FROGS VS. IOWA STATE CYCLONES BETTING CONCLUSION

I just don't like what I've seen from the Cyclones. Yes, they opened with 12 consecutive victories and an impressive ranking to boot, but they're overrated. It's Brockington, a couple of secondary options in Gabe Kalscheur and Tyrese Hunter, and then a precipitous drop-off after that. If Brockington has a tough night, this team will especially go nowhere.

With or without Brockington playing well, this team is just 2-4 SU/3-3 ATS in six games so far during conference play. While beating Texas at home was nice, and shows what the Cyclones are capable of doing if they have a good night, the wins down the stretch are going to be fewer and farther between. In the end, this is going to be a bubble team for the NCAA Tournament, and they'll be fighting the likes of TCU and other mid-tier Big 12 teams for positioning. I like the Horned Frogs lately, especially against the number. The offense has gone downhill lately, and that's an issue, but the defense has been special. I think TCU and the points makes for an attractive little parlay on Saturday.

TCU HORNED FROGS VS. IOWA STATE CYCLONES BETTING TRENDS

  • TCU is 7-1 ATS in the past eight games overall.
  • TCU is 4-0 ATS in the past four road games.
  • TCU is 6-1-2 ATS in the past nine games vs. teams with a winning record.
  • Iowa State is 4-1 ATS in the past five home games.
  • Iowa State is 9-3 ATS in the past 12 vs. teams with a winning record.
  • The UNDER is 3-0-1 in the past four games for TCU.
  • The OVER is 7-1 in the past eight for TCU vs. winning teams.
  • The OVER is 5-2 in the past seven games for Iowa State.
  • The OVER is 11-2 in the past 13 for Iowa State vs. winning teams.
  • The road team is 5-2 ATS in the past seven meetings.
  • The underdog is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings

College Basketball News

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson
•