Expect a high-scoring game when the 24th-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers (11-3, 1-2 Big 10) go head-to-head with the 25th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes (11-3, 0-3 Big 10) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 6, 2019.
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Odds
Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Hawkeyes defeated the UMKC Kangaroos 77-63, while the Cornhuskers had no trouble getting past the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 106-37.
Nebraska dominated every stat category in the game. They had an effective field goal percentage of 0.659 and a turnover percentage of 12.1. Mississippi Valley State was 0.199 and 20.2, respectively, for those same stats. The Hawkeyes, on the other hand, had a much better free throw rate (0.596 vs. 0.125) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.521 vs. 0.430). Iowa’s Tyler Cook led the way, finishing with 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Meanwhile, James Palmer Jr. was a key piece for Nebraska with 17 points and five assists.
The Cornhuskers won the sole contest between these two teams last year, 98-84. Getting to the free throw line was one of Nebraska’s largest strengths. They had 36 free throw attempts, while Iowa had just 14. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Cook has been impressive recently for Iowa, averaging 0 points over the last five games.
This battle pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Iowa currently ranks 22nd in offensive efficiency and Nebraska ranks sixth in defensive efficiency.
Nebraska vs. Iowa Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Nebraska, ATS Winner – Nebraska, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Nebraska ranks third in assists allowed per game (8.8) while Iowa ranks 187th (15.0).
- The Hawkeyes are fifth in the NCAA with 1.7 blocks allowed per game while the Cornhuskers are 58th with 3.0 blocks allowed per game.
- Iowa averages 36.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 123rd in the NCAA. Nebraska ranks 149th in rebounds allowed per game (35.4).
- The Cornhuskers rank sixth in three pointers allowed per game (17.2) while the Hawkeyes rank 169th (23.8).
- Nebraska ranks 25th in steals per game (8.5) while Iowa ranks 118th (6.3).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Cornhuskers have scored an average of 82.0 points per game (2.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 52.2 points per game (6.8 below their season average).
- The Hawkeyes’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 15.8, up from 10.1 for the season.
