As could be expected from a Mick Cronin-led team, Cincinnati’s defensive mentality has been holding opponents to 59.2 ppg. That ultimately has caused the Bearcats to go UNDER in four of their five games this season. We will see if that trend can continue when Cincinnati visits the Iowa State Cyclones on Thursday.
The Cyclones have been one of the top offensive teams in the nation during the young college basketball season, averaging 88.8 points per game. To the surprise of nobody, Monte Morris has been the best player on Iowa State, as the senior has averaged a team-high 16.0 points per game while averaging 5.6 assists for every turnover.
Only one Cincinnati opponent has scored more than 68 points and that was a ranked Rhode Island team. Kyle Washington has quietly been one of the most productive players in the country, as the junior has averaged 16.8 points and 9.3 rebounds with four double-doubles this season.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Iowa State Cyclones betting line opened as -5-point favorites in this college basketball tilt over at Sportsbook but the number may be on the move. Watch for the Sportsbook over/under total as well at Sportsbook.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs Iowa State Cyclones Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Cincinnati Bearcats will try to spoil to the party and cover the point spread on Thursday; they are 3-2 ATS against the betting line this season, while the Iowa State Cyclones are 3-1 ATS. Cincinnati Bearcats are 1-4 on betting the total; Iowa State Cyclones are 1-3.
This college basketball game matches up the No. 15 (Iowa State) and the No. 17 (Cincinnati) teams in the league, according to our current NCAA basketball power rankings.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up Iowa State's No. 10 nationally ranked offense (88.83 points per game) against a Cincinnati Bearcats defense that sits as the No. 17 at 59.17 PPG. The Iowa State Cyclones have been averaging 47.49% from the field, less than the Bearcats have managed so far this season (48.59% on average).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The battle between the Bearcats and Bison didnt turn out to be much of a battle at all as Lipscomb was handed a 91-68 defeat on Saturday at Fifth Third Arena.
Iowa State got 29 points from Deonte Burton on the way to a 73-71 loss against Gonzaga on Sunday at HP Field House.
Next Betting Matchups
Cincinnati home to Bowling Green, Sunday, December 4th
Iowa State at Nebraska-Omaha, Monday, December 5th