Iowa vs Indiana Odds, Picks and Predictions: Hawkeyes' Offense Keeps Them Afloat

The Iowa Hawkeyes hit the road to meet the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington on Tuesday in a key Big Ten Conference battle.

Iowa is searching for victory 19 on the season, and it looks to build off the momentum of a wild 112-106 overtime win against Michigan State. It was a gargantuan triumph, as it faced a .500 record in the league, but instead emerged 10-8 in Big Ten play.

Indiana did it again, topping rival Purdue by a 79-71 score in West Lafayette, completing the season sweep. It was another Q1 win for the Hoosiers, who are likely all but into the NCAA Tournament field, regardless of what happens down the stretch or into the conference tournament.

Can the Hawkeyes build on the momentum of their crazy win last time out, or will the home side continue to be a giant killer in the conference? We’ll discuss in our college basketball picks and predictions for Iowa vs. Indiana on Tuesday, February 28.

Iowa vs Indiana best odds

Iowa vs Indiana picks and predictions

College basketball is super fun to watch, but as we get into the final days of February — and on the precipice of March Madness — this is when all games start to take on a little more meaning.

Iowa got a jump on the mayhem with a wild 112-106 overtime win at Carver-Hawkeye Arena over the weekend. The Hawkeyes were staring into the abyss — down 13 points with just 94 seconds remaining in regulation — but Kris Murray poured in five 3-pointers in the final 39 seconds to push the game to an extra frame.

It was a performance for the ages and one you had to give a tip of the hat, unless, of course, you were holding a ticket on Michigan State.

Indiana has notched 20 victories on the season — including a season sweep of Purdue — but it heads into this one with revenge on its mind. The Hoosiers lost 91-89 in Iowa City in the first matchup as the Over easily cashed.

In that first meeting, Indiana hit 54% (32 of 59) from the field, including 53% (8 of 15) from downtown. Iowa cashed in at 48% (31-for-65) from the floor, while going a ridiculous 88% (22-foor-25) from the charity stripe. The Hawkeyes also outrebounded the Hoosiers 35-31 and it was the difference in the narrow win.

Look for these two teams to play another entertaining game. Iowa is catching three buckets at a couple of shops, so look around and take advantage. We could have another very close game between two programs that are postseason-bound.

My best bet: Iowa +6 (-110 at BetRivers)

Iowa vs Indiana spread analysis

Iowa has managed to cover just twice in the past seven games, so bettors might be a little cautious to back the Hawkeyes based on that trend.

However, Iowa beat Indiana outright already this season, and it is 11-5 ATS in the next 16 games following an offensive outburst of 90 or more points in the previous outing. The Hawkeyes are also 7-3 ATS in the past 10 games against teams with a winning percentage over .600.

For the Hoosiers, they’re 5-1 ATS in the past six games at home. While that’s all well and good, the Hawkeyes have simply had their number recently.

Iowa has won each of the past three meetings in this series, cashing in two of those contests. I think the Hoosiers should be able to get it done on their home floor, but three buckets is an awfully big number. Plus, the public is hammering Indiana at nearly a 4-to-1 clip. Rarely, if ever, will I side with Joey Public. 

Be a contrarian and back the road team, as Iowa will carry over the momentum from its big OT win.

Iowa vs Indiana Over/Under analysis

The Hawkeyes exploded for 112 points in the OT win against Michigan State, and 91 points in the first meeting with Indiana. This will be an easy Over, right? Well, Iowa had scored just 52 points in a 12-point loss at Wisconsin prior to the win over Sparty, and it had just 60 points in a 20-point blowout loss at Northwestern in the previous outing.

Iowa has been a Jekyll and Hyde team, either burning up the nets or stinking up the joint with very little in between lately. The lean is to the Over, however, going 6-3 across the past nine games overall.

The Hawkeyes rank No. 20 in the country with 80.4 ppg, although this is not a very good 3-point shooting team at 34.0%. Defensively, Iowa stinks, allowing 74.4 ppg, which is No. 301 in the country. In fact, it will be the undoing of the Hawkeyes in the postseason.

Iowa has a dismal 47.2% defensive field-goal percentage, and a 36.1% defensive 3-pointer percentage. Indiana will look to take advantage, as it hits at a 49.3% pace from the field, and 38.2% from behind the arc — both No. 16 or better in the nation.

Iowa vs Indiana betting trend to know

Iowa is 7-3 ATS in the past 10 games against teams with a winning percentage over .600 while winning three straight outright in this series. Find more college basketball betting trends for Iowa vs. Indiana.

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