- Iowa State blew out Jacksonville State 100-58 in their last game.
- Iowa is coming off an 85-83 loss to Michigan.
- Iowa State won the last matchup against Iowa last December.
Check out our Iowa State vs Iowa NCAAB prediction and preview article, as the two in-state rivals battle for bragging rights on Thursday. The Cyclones are having an excellent season, ranked number three in the nation. In comparison, the Hawkeyes have been solid at 7-2 but have defensive concerns. Iowa State is favored, and unless the Hawkeyes have a huge game from three, the Cyclones will win comfortably.
Cyclones Try to Stifle the Hawkeyes.
The Iowa State offense is elite, but the team also has a solid defense. They are only one of three teams in the country to rank in the top ten in both offensive and defensive efficiency ratings on Kenpom. They have been flawless outside their loss to Auburn, with strong wins over teams like Colorado, Dayton, and Marquette.
The Cyclones have five players averaging double figures, and the top two are an elite guard duo. Keshon Gilberts leads the team with 17.4 PPG and is the leading passer with 5.5 APG. Curtis Jones is not far behind, scoring 16.3 PPG, and is excellent from three, shooting 40.4% from deep. Add Milan Momcilovic (12.5 PPG) and Dishon Jackson (11.4 PPG & 5.8 RPG) in the frontcourt; the Cyclones can hurt opponents from anywhere on the floor.
Hawkeyes Hope to Win a Shootout
This is a classic Iowa team with a strong offense and not much defense. The Hawkeyes focus on the offensive side of the floor and hope to outscore opponents. The defense is weak and won’t get many stops, making winning big games like this one difficult because they only have one path to victory.
They have to score and score a lot, but the good news is that they have some guys capable of filling it up. Owen Freeman (16.8 PPG & 7 RPG) and Payton Sandfort (16.4 PPG & 5.8 RPG) are a strong frontcourt pair leading the team in scoring and rebounding. Where the Hawkeyes need to get more consistent play is their guards, where they only have one play in double figures nightly.
Iowa State vs Iowa Prediction: Iowa State Wins Big on the Road
This contest is pretty simple: Iowa has to get hot from three and shoot a high percentage tonight to have a chance. Even if they do, it might not be enough, as Iowa State will score right with the Hawkeyes but will also get some key stops to build a healthy lead and win by 10+.
Leave a Comment