TCU vs Iowa State Odds
| TCU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -105 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | +290 |
| Iowa State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -115 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | -375 |
Two of the better teams in the Big 12 take the floor on Saturday as TCU and Iowa State face off in Ames. These two sides seem destined for the NCAA tournament, and both have hopes of making a deep postseason run.
Iowa State would remain tied for first place in the conference with a win, while TCU can remain within one game of the top with a victory of its own.
Iowa State has now won four of its last five games, earning victories over TCU, Kansas State, Kansas and Texas in the process. The Clones remain perfect at home on the season, with 13 wins in 13 games.
This is a group with stellar defensive performances night in and night out and star talent at the individual level on the offensive end.
TCU is coming off a surprising home loss to Texas, but the good news is that it's had a full week to prepare for the Cyclones. The Frogs have won three of their last four games, and they've been surprisingly good on the road as well.
TCU has four wins in six true away games, including victories at Oklahoma State and Baylor during conference play.
TCU Horned Frogs
TCU is a balanced squad with a good profile on both ends of the floor. The Horned Frogs have a top-30 offense and the 52nd-ranked defense. They play fast and are comfortable winning games in a variety of ways.
They rarely shoot 3s, but when they do, they make them. On the season, the Frogs are shooting 36% from outside the arc, which is good for 65th in all of college basketball.
They also make 54% of their shots inside the 3-point line, which speaks to their offensive efficiency at all levels.
Their biggest weakness is turning the ball over, which will likely be a problem against the elite Cyclones defense. TCU turns it over on 18% of its offensive possessions. That's a bad formula against a defense that's second in the country in forcing turnovers.
Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State's defense is simply elite. It ranks first in college basketball in steal %, and it makes things difficult on opposing offenses for 40 minutes a night, every night.
Offenses don't get anything easy at the rim. Teams make just 45% of their shots from inside the 3-point line against the Cyclones, and without getting hot from outside, it's incredibly hard to score and beat Iowa State.
Tamin Lipsey runs the show on the offensive end, and he's emerged as one of the best point guards in the sport. Lipsey has five or more assists in four of his last five games, and he shoots 38% from deep.
TCU vs. Iowa State
Betting Pick & Prediction
It's extremely hard to bet against Iowa State at home.
The Clones have been flawless all season in their gym, and against a team that often turns it over, the Cyclones' defense should feast.
Take Iowa State to cover against TCU in this Big 12 tilt.
