The tricky thing about college basketball betting is that some people get used to certain programs getting the job done, and Iowa State has done just that in recent years.
Prior to this season, the Cyclones had finished in the Top 5 of the Big 12 in three of Steve Prohm’s five years with the team, and they had finished in the Top 4 in each of Fred Hoiberg’s final four seasons before handing Prohm the keys.
This year, Iowa State isn’t that same program, which is part of the reason these free college basketball picks can be so necessary. The Cyclones are off to a 1-3 start (0-4 ATS), while West Virginia looks really strong (6-1 SU, 4-3 ATS).
With that being said, here are our college basketball picks and predictions for this showdown between Iowa State and No. 7 West Virginia, which tips off on Friday, December 18 at 9:00 p.m. ET at the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, WV.
Iowa State Cyclones at West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Preview
Key Injuries
Iowa State: Tre Jackson G (Out), Blake Hinston G (Out).
West Virginia: No injuries to report.
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
The Cyclones are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games against teams with winning percentages above 60 percent. Find more NCAA betting trends for Iowa State vs. West Virginia.
Against the Spread (ATS) Pick
West Virginia boasts the 13th-most efficient offense in college basketball, which doesn’t exactly bode well for an Iowa State team that is 126th in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency (both according to KenPom.com).
The Mountaineers, normally known for their ability to defend, possess a potent inside-out combination on the offensive end, where Miles “Deuce” McBride is a problem on the perimeter and Derek Culver feasts around the basket. On the year, McBride is averaging 14.6 points and 4.6 assists per game, while Culver gives them 13.9 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks a night.
McBride, in particular, should give the Cyclones fits in this game. Iowa State’s guards do not defend very well, and McBride is one of the best off-the-dribble shooters in the country and he’s also capable of getting to the basket, where Prohm’s team lacks a legitimate rim protector.
The problem for the Cyclones is that their opponent isn’t just good on the offensive end—they’re also a Top-10 defense in the nation. That means that good looks won’t come easy for an Iowa State team that only has one rotation player (guard Jalen Coleman-Lands) that shoots better than 40 percent from the outside. While Rasir Bolton and Solomon Young can both play, they will likely have trouble with Bob Huggins’ scrappy defense. Young definitely will not enjoy West Virginia’s physicality inside as, despite his size, he already prefers to shoot mid-range jumpers.
PREDICTION: West Virginia -15.0 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
Iowa State might lack the firepower to keep up with this West Virginia team, but it wouldn’t be all that surprising if there were a lot of points scored in this one. Last week, the Cyclones lost by 28 points in a meeting with Iowa that could end up being a sign of things to come in this one: that game ended with a final score of 105-77.
The Mountaineers should have their way offensively, but they should let up just enough to let the Cyclones help them with this total. Also, nine of the last 10 games in this head-to-head series have gone Over, so there’s something about these two styles that have been leading to high-scoring affairs.
PREDICTION: Over 146.5 (-110)
Iowa State vs West Virginia Betting Card
- West Virginia -15.0 (-110)
- Over 146.5 (-110)
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