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The No. 8 Iowa State Cyclones (26-7) battle No. 1 Houston Cougars (30-3) Saturday in the Big 12 Tournament championship game. Tip from T-Mobile Center in Kansas City is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Iowa State vs. Houston odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
No. 2 seed Iowa State took down No. 3 Baylor 76-62 Friday in the semifinals, covering as a 1.5-point favorite while the Over (134.5) cashed. Junior G Keshon Gilbert did a little bit of everything for the Cyclones, scoring 20 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals in the victory.
Iowa State is looking to win the Big 12 Tournament for the 1st time since 2019.
The top-seeded Cougars poured it on in the 2nd half against the No. 4 Red Raiders, winning 82-59 in the semifinals. They covered as 10-point favorites, and the Over (133) cashed. Second-team All-Big 12 G L.J. Cryer went 6-for-11 (54.5%) from deep, finishing with 20 points in the victory.
Houston has a chance to win the Big 12 Tournament in its 1st season in the conference.
These teams split the regular-season series, with each side defending its home court. Iowa State won outright as a 1.5-point underdog 57-53 Jan. 9, while the Cougars pushed as 8-point favorites 73-65 Feb. 19.
– Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
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Iowa State vs. Houston odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:15 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Iowa State +176 (bet $100 to win $176) | Houston -215 (bet $215 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Iowa State +4.5 (-102) | Houston -4.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 122.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Iowa State vs. Houston picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 65, Iowa State 62
Moneyline
PASS.
I’d love to take Iowa State getting those juicy plus-odds, but Houston (-215) is a matchup I don’t love for the Cyclones. I’m also never going to recommend you to bet 2 or more units to win 1. Houston will likely win this game, but I’m going to look to the spread for my wager.
Against the spread
BET HOUSTON -4.5 (-120).
This Houston team is just amazing to watch. It is 1 of the most balanced teams I’ve ever seen in the college game. There are so many ways it can beat you, and it has shown that throughout the season. After a rough start to its Big 12 schedule, it righted the ship quickly and has won 11 straight heading into this title game. The Cougars have also covered both double-digit spreads in this tournament thus far.
If Iowa State got to face practically any other team in the country, I would have taken it to win this game, but sadly, that’s not the case.
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Over/Under
PASS.
I learned along time to never bet totals when it comes to Houston, and adding Iowa State to the mix makes it an even easier decision. Both of these teams play suffocating defense, and that line is so low that it’s trying to tempt you into taking the Over. Don’t take the bait, and just stay away.
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