The Arizona State Sun Devils take on the Iowa State Cyclones in the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri, on Wednesday, March 11. Tip-off is set for 12:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Iowa State is favored by 11 points on the spread with a moneyline of -650. The total is set at 146.5 points.
Here’s my Arizona State vs. Iowa State prediction and college basketball picks for Wednesday, March 11.
Arizona State vs Iowa State Prediction
My Pick: Iowa State -11 (Play to -12.5)
My Arizona State vs Iowa State best bet is on the Cyclones to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Arizona State vs Iowa State Odds
| Arizona State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+11 -110 | 146.5 -110o / -110u | +475 |
| Iowa State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-11 -110 | 146.5 -110o / -110u | -650 |
- Arizona State vs Iowa State Spread: Iowa State -11
- Arizona State vs Iowa State Over/Under: 146.5 points
- Arizona State vs Iowa State Moneyline: Arizona State +475, Iowa State -650
Arizona State vs Iowa State College Basketball Betting Preview
Arizona State Basketball
Arizona State played great in its win over Baylor on Tuesday. The final score was 83-79, but Baylor led once (2-0), and the Sun Devils' lead was double-digits for most of the game.
The Sun Devils shot 71% from inside the arc and scored 1.16 points per possession. They turned the ball over 15 times, but they built enough of a cushion that it didn't matter.
Bobby Hurley will need strong play from his guards in this matchup. Moe Odum scored just nine points in the Baylor game. He'll need closer to his 17-points-per-game season average in a tougher matchup.
Anthony "Pig" Johnson picked up the slack in the first round, scoring 19 points. He's one of three Sun Devils to average 10+ points a night, with Odum and center Massamba Diop being the others.
Rebounding remains the Achilles' heel for Arizona State, as Baylor snagged 16 offensive rebounds in a losing effort. Iowa State is terrific on the offensive glass as well, which should lead it to securing second-chance points.
In general, my faith in Arizona State's defense is pretty low — unless it can force turnovers. It ranks outside the top-200 in 2-point and 3-point field goal percentage, while boasting an 18% turnover rate.
The pressure on the ball bothered Baylor's guards a bit, so we'll see if the Cyclones handle it better
Iowa State Basketball
Iowa State went 2-3 in its final five games of Big 12 play, but it finished the regular season with a 21-point win over Arizona State.
Everything for T.J. Otzelberger's squad begins on the defensive end. The Clones rank seventh in defensive efficiency, and their aggressive approach leads to a 22% turnover rate.
They hold teams to 50% shooting from inside the arc and 32% from deep. Other recent Iowa State squads have done better at forcing misses, but that's not a bad number.
To cover this big spread, the key is on the offensive end.
Iowa State is 26th in offensive efficiency and shoots 38% from deep and 55% on 2s. The shooting is a touch misleading. Milan Momcilovic is shooting 50% from deep, which really boosts the overall numbers and masks the fact that Tamin Lipsey and Killyan Toure hit 28% from deep.
Lipsey is best when he's driving downhill and dishing to shooters and/or using his physicality to score.
Joshua Jefferson is a locked-in All-American, but he limped to the finish line of Big 12 play. He scored 12 points on 2-of-12 shooting against Arizona and scored 16 on 5-of-12 shooting against Arizona State. At 6-foot-9, 240 pounds, Jefferson is a real mismatch with his passing and ability to change games with his IQ.
He's also taken his scoring to another level. I think Iowa State needs him to be that reliable No. 2 option behind Momcilovic.
Arizona State vs. Iowa State Betting Analysis
I'll lay the 11.5 with the Cyclones.
I know, I faded Arizona State in the first round, and Baylor got crushed.
On the whole, this Sun Devils team should struggle with opponents that can dominate the offensive glass and force turnovers. That's defining Iowa State to a T.
My Pick: Iowa State -11 (Play to -12.5)
