The Iowa State Cyclones take on the Kansas Jayhawks in Lawrence, KS. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Iowa State is favored by 3.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -180. The total is set at 146.5 points.
Here’s my Iowa State vs. Kansas prediction and college basketball picks for January 13, 2026.
Iowa State vs Kansas Prediction
My Pick: Kansas ML +150
My Iowa State vs Kansas best bet is on the Jayhawks to win outright. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Iowa State vs. Kansas Odds
| Iowa State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -115 | 146.5 -110 / -110 | -180 |
| Kansas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -105 | 146.5 -110 / -110 | +150 |
- Iowa State vs Kansas spread: Iowa State -3.5
- Iowa State vs Kansas over/under: 146.5 points
- Iowa State vs Kansas moneyline: Iowa State -180, Kansas +150
Iowa State vs Kansas College Basketball Betting Preview
Iowa State Basketball
With Michigan losing on Saturday, Iowa State remains one of five unbeaten teams in college hoops.
On Monday, the Cyclones will head into the toughest environment in the Big 12 to try keeping their unbeaten season alive.
T.J. Otzelberger is known for his defensive coaching acumen, and his Cyclones squad ranks second in KenPom's defensive efficiency. By staying firm with on-ball pressure, Iowa State records turnovers at a 24% clip. It also holds teams to 48% shooting from inside the arc and 31% from downtown.
Nothing about this Iowa State defense is bad. The hope in beating the Clones rests on creating strong one-on-one shots.
Iowa State is no slouch on the other end, either. The Cyclones rank 12th in offensive efficiency and have surprised everyone with their shooting. Nobody saw Iowa State shooting 40.8% from deep, which is second-best in the country.
The bigger question: Is that sustainable? I lean no. Milan Momcilovic is hitting 55% from deep on 110 attempts. He carries a lot of weight in the overall percentage, so if he tapers off at all, Iowa State's shooting will regress.
Tamin Lipsey and Killyan Toure are both excellent overall players, but both hit around 29-32% from deep.
The most important player on the team is point forward Joshua Jefferson. He's a virtual lock to be a first-team All-American, leading the team with 17.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. He'll have to face a bigger defender in Kansas' 6-foot-11 Bryson Tiller, which could present an interesting matchup.
Kansas Basketball
Kansas is a miracle comeback win from being 0-3 in Big 12 play, and the Jayhawks are actually an underdog in this game.
Some lousy defensive performances are the culprit for their losses, as they allowed 1.16 PPP to UCF and 1.29 PPP to West Virginia. Neither of those teams are offensive juggernauts, so those results are puzzling.
On the season, the Jayhawks rank 14th in defensive efficiency, while holding teams to 44% on 2s and 29% on 3s.
One parallel you can draw to Kansas struggling on defense is Darryn Peterson returning to the lineup. When he was out, Kansas was one of the best defensive teams in America, game in and game out.
I'm not willing to "Ewing Theory" the Peterson situation. He's one of the best scorers in the country, full stop. However, Bill Self has to manage his minutes better if he's going to remove himself when he's cramping.
Even if Kansas is a bit worse defensively with Peterson, he makes the Jayhawks light-years better offensively. In three games since returning, Kansas has improved offensively, posting 1.08 PPP or more in each game. Peterson scored 23, 32 and 26 points in those games.
I just don't think he's the overall problem, and the Jayhawks will soon put that growing narrative to bed.
The other weapons on the Jayhawks' roster are much better in complementary roles. As the second and third options, Melvin Council Jr. and Flory Bidunga are scarier than when they're first and second options.
Iowa State vs. Kansas Betting Analysis
You're going to give me Self as a home underdog in Lawrence? I'd be foolish not to take the moneyline.
This reminds me of two seasons ago when Kansas was a home 'dog to Houston when it was 14-2, and Kansas won that one with ease.
There's a reason for Phog Magic. Between the fans, the intensity and potentially the home-friendly whistle, it's tough to beat Kansas there. Self rarely ever loses home games for a reason.
Iowa State will lose eventually. The Cyclones are awesome, but they're not good enough to go unbeaten. This will be their first loss.
My Pick: Kansas ML +150
