Big 12 foes will battle when the Iowa State Cyclones (13-11, 4-8 Big 12) go head-to-head with the No. 13 Kansas Jayhawks (19-6, 8-4 Big 12) at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Kansas opened as a 6.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 151 points. Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 13, 2018.
Kansas Jayhawks at Iowa State Cyclones Free Preview
In the Jayhawks last contest, they fell to the Baylor Bears, 80-64. Devonte Graham had a good performance for Kansas, leading both teams in scoring with 23 points on 8-for-17 shooting. Baylor had a better free throw rate (0.189 vs. 0.127). Kansas, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (15.2 vs. 19.0).
The Cyclones hope to keep it rolling after topping the No. 17 Oklahoma Sooners in their last matchup, 88-80. Iowa State was led by Cameron Lard, who had 19 points and 17 rebounds. Iowa State played a nearly flawless game. They had a turnover percentage of 11.5 (better than their season average of 14.8) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.515 (above their season average of 0.501). Oklahoma put up marks of 19.0 and 0.476, respectively, for those same stats.
Points at the line might be few and far between for Iowa State in this matchup. The Cyclones rank 272nd in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.213, while Kansas ranks 27th in FTA rate allowed (0.184). Additionally, the Jayhawks rank 51st in turnover percentage (16.7 percent), while the Cyclones rank 286th in opponents turnover percentage (17.2 percent).
In terms of the O/U total, these teams are complete opposites. Kansas games have gone under 58.3 percent of the time, while 59.1 percent of games featuring Iowa State have gone over. The Jayhawks come into this game with a sizable advantage in terms of straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 19-6 SU and 12-11-1 ATS, while the Cyclones are 13-11 SU and 8-13-1 ATS.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to score 161 points, just over the projected point total of 158.5. The Jayhawks won 83-78, but were unable to cover as 16-point favorites. The Jayhawks 12.1 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Cyclones, who had a rate of 19.1. Malik Newman was the games top overall scorer with 27 points.
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Iowa State Cyclones Odds Prediction
Pick: SU Winner – Kansas, ATS Winner – Iowa State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Cyclones average 4.3 blocks per game, which ranks 52nd in the NCAA. The Jayhawks rank 119th in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
- Iowa State is 5-5-1 ATS at home, while Kansas is 6-5 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 6 of the Cyclones 11 home games, while 9 of the Jayhawks 11 road games have gone under.
- Kansas ranks 39th in three pointers attempted per game (25.8) while Iowa State ranks 238th in three pointers allowed per game (24.7).
- The Jayhawks average 17.3 assists per game, which ranks 14th in the nation. The Cyclones rank 169th in assists allowed per game (14.0).
- Iowa State averages 37.4 rebounds per game, which ranks 85th in the nation. Kansas ranks 192nd in rebounds allowed per game (36.0).
Betting Trends:
- Iowa State is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Kansas is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Cyclones average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.2, up from 0.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Jayhawks have scored an average of 72.6 points per game (9.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.4 points per game (0.1 below their season average).