It will be a matchup between two stifling defenses when the Baylor Bears (8-5, 0-1 Big 12) clash with the Iowa State Cyclones (12-2, 2-0 Big 12) at Ferrell Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, and will air on ESPN.
Iowa State Cyclones at Baylor Bears Betting Odds
In their last matchup, the Bears lost a close one to the Texas Southern Tigers, 72-69, while the Cyclones dismantled the Alabama State Hornets, 79-53.
Iowa State dominated every stat category in the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 36.1 and a turnover percentage of 16.7. For those same stats, Alabama State recorded marks of 23.7 and 25.2, respectively. Baylor, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (47.7 vs. 38.7). King McClure played a key role for Baylor with 23 points, five rebounds and five assists. Michael Jacobson, meanwhile had a good game for Iowa State, recording 17 points and seven rebounds.
This was a highly competitive series last year. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. The Bears won the most recent game 81-67. One of Baylor’s biggest strengths was getting to the charity stripe. They made 25 trips to the line, while Iowa State went 17 times. This is the first time these teams will meet this year.
The Cyclones’ Marial Shayok has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 0 points per game. Meanwhile, Tristan Clark has averaged 0 points during that same time frame for the Bears.
Baskets could be hard to come by in this showdown between a pair of the country’s best defenses. Baylor ranks 32nd in defensive efficiency (92.0) and Iowa State is 38th (92.4).
Iowa State Cyclones at Baylor Bears Free Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Baylor, ATS Winner – Baylor, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Iowa State ranks 27th in assists per game (16.9) while Baylor ranks 130th (13.6).
- The Bears average 21.9 three pointers per game, which ranks 159th in the nation. The Cyclones rank 210th in three pointers allowed per game (25.4).
- Baylor ranks 42nd in rebounds allowed per game (31.9) while Iowa State ranks 76th (33.4).
- The Cyclones rank ninth in blocks allowed per game (2.0) while the Bears rank 88th (3.3).
- Iowa State ranks seventh in steals allowed per game (4.6) while Baylor ranks 85th (6.2).
Bettings Trends:
- The Cyclones’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.2, down from 17.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bears have scored an average of 78.2 points per game (6.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 67.4 points per game (5.1 above their season average).
