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The Pitt Panthers (23-11) battle the Iowa State Cyclones (19-13) Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Tip from Greensboro Coliseum in the Midwest Region game is set for 3:10 p.m. ET (truTV). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Pitt vs. Iowa State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Panthers beat Mississippi State 60-59 in the battle of the First Four, and have won of their 8 games, posting a 4-4 against the spread (ATS) record. F Blake Hinson leads the Panthers, averaging 15.5 points per game. The Panthers are an ACC-best 23-10-1 ATS on the season.
Iowa State, 16-16 ATS on the season, comes in as the region’s No. 6 seed, having lost to Kansas 71-58 in the Big 12 Tournament, a day after beating No. 3-seeded Baylor 78-72. Iowa State lost 5 of its last 7 games, failing to cover in all 5 losses. It is led by G Jaren Holmes, who is averaging 13.4 PPG.
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Pitt vs. Iowa State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:01 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pitt +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Iowa State -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pitt +4.5 (-112) | Iowa State -3.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 130.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Pitt vs. Iowa State picks and predictions
Prediction
Iowa State 64, Pitt 61
Moneyline
AVOID.
Iowa State has 13 losses on the season and doesn’t have a strong enough offense to pull away. Backing it on the moneyline at -190 isn’t good value, and given Pitt has already played, the chance for it to have tired legs should make the (+160) not overly enticing. Pass all around here.
Against the spread
LEAN PITT +4.5 (-112).
Pitt was the best-covering team in the ACC. Iowa State was in the middle of the pack in the Big 12 and was the worst-covering team in the conference on the road, posting just a 4-7 ATS record.
Iowa State’s offense is also concerning as it ranks 177th in effective field goal rate (50.7%). Pitt sits 51st (53.1%). While Iowa State has the far better defense, it may struggle to pull away, as it has for much of the season.
Given that, back PITT +4.5 (-112).
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Over/Under
BET UNDER 130.5 (-105).
While Pitt may score efficiently, it doesn’t play at a fast pace, ranking 135th in shots per game (57.9). Iowa State plays at an even slower tempo, sitting 201st in field goal attempts (56.9).
Pitt has gone Under in 2 of its last 4 and has failed to score 70 in its last 2 games. Iowa State has gone Under in 7 of its last 9. It has failed to top 60 in 4 of its last 7 games.
Considering the pace this game should be played at and the strength of the Cyclones’ defense, back the UNDER 130.5 (-105).
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