Iowa State vs Kansas Odds, Picks and Predictions: Cyclone Warning in Lawrence

The No. 2 ranked Kansas Jayhawks are riding a nine-game winning streak, including four straight over Big 12 opponents. Their offense is scoring 74.8 points per game against conference opponents but their average margin of victory is just 5.7 points. 

They are tied with Iowa State for first in the Big 12. The Cyclones are riding a six-game winning streak, are 4-0 in conference play, and have an average margin of victory of 13.5 points. 

Traveling to Lawrence will be difficult for the No. 14 Cyclones but Kansas is 7-9 ATS, and has proven its inability to score against stingy defenses. We break this matchup down in our college basketball picks and predictions for Iowa State vs. Kansas. 

Iowa State vs Kansas best odds

Iowa State vs Kansas picks and predictions

Earlier this season, Kansas traveled to Knoxville, where the Volunteers handed them their only loss of the season. Their defense ranks second in the nation, allowing opponents to 53.4 PPG. They gave Kansas’s offense all kinds of fits, holding it to a season-low of 50 points.

Iowa State plays fundamentally sound defense and ranks 17th in the nation allowing opponents to 57.7 PPG. The Cyclones have proven the ability to hold high-scoring teams well below their season average point totals, which includes Baylor’s No. 16-ranked offense to 62 points, and TCU’s 39th-ranked offense to 67 points. 

The Cyclones are 10-5 ATS thus far and are coming into today’s matchup as 8-point underdogs. I expect them to play at their own pace, slowing the game down to go along with solid defense. This could frustrate the Jayhawks’ offense, which gives me confidence in taking Iowa State to cover the spread.

My best bet: Iowa State +8 (-110 at FanDuel)

Iowa State vs Kansas spread analysis

Today’s line opened up at 8 points in favor of the home team and has since dropped to 7.5 in most books.

Kansas may have a player-of-the-year candidate in Jalen Wilson. The 6-foot-8 junior is averaging 20 PPG despite shooting 40.7% from the field.

The offensive emergence of K.J. Adams Jr. has greatly impacted the Jayhawks. In his first seven games, the big man hardly looked for his shot and averaged just 6.0 PPG. His confidence seems to have grown in their last nine games averaging 13.8 PPG, including a season-high of 22 points in their recent win over Oklahoma.

Taking care of the ball will be imperative to KU’s success. Iowa State’s innate ability to turn its opposition over is key to its defensive success. The Cyclones rank first in turnover percentage and fifth in steals percentage. Gabe Kalscheur and Tamin Lipsey put the clamps on the defensive end, averaging 1.9 steals a piece. 

Iowa State vs Kansas Over/Under analysis

Each team commands solid floor generals that help run the offense. Kansas’ Dajuan Harris Jr. has come into his own and ranks sixth in assist-to-turnover ratio. He is a big reason for K.J. Adams Jr.’s success, as the two have built impressive chemistry in the pick-and-roll game — which should help take some of the pressure off Jalen Wilson. 

Speaking of pressure, freshman guard Gradey Dick is one of the most lethal shooters in college basketball. The Wichita native is putting immense pressure on opposing defenses, shooting 47.2% from downtown, and making himself a presence on defense with his 6-foot-8 frame. 

Tamin Lipsey controls the show for the Cyclones’ offense. The former three-star recruit is playing in his first year of collegiate basketball, but you’d think he’s been running the show for years. 

The Cyclones’ offense doesn’t have eye-popping individual talent but what they will do is run a strategic style of movement that helps put their players in a good position to score. They rank 296th in adjusted tempo, and I expect them to use plenty of clock to slow down the more talented Jayhawks. 

Iowa State vs Kansas betting trend to know

The Cyclones are 4-0 ATS in their last four games. Find more College basketball betting trends for Iowa State vs. Kansas.

Iowa State vs Kansas game info

Iowa State vs Kansas key injuries

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