The Big 12 has six teams ranked in the top 25 this season, and two of them meet in the Texas at Iowa State betting matchup. The #7 Longhorns (15-2) have won three straight since the team officially moved on from coach Chris Beard on January 5th, but only roughly 30% of the betting public likes the Longhorns getting the +2.5 points on the road Tuesday.
The #12 Cyclones (13-3) are coming off a close 62-60 defeat at #2 Kansas on Saturday which did cover the +7.5 point spread. ISU has one of the best defenses in the country, are 9-0 in Ames this season, and the home team has covered the number in five of the last seven head to head matchups between these two teams.
Texas Ready for Battle
The Longhorns have won three in a row, effectively putting the Beard drama behind them as they’ve started off 4-1 in conference play. Texas has survived the last two games in a 79-75 win over #14 TCU and beating Texas Tech 72-70 but failing to cover the -6 and -8.5 spread respectively in two home games.
Texas was down 9 points at halftime on Saturday against the Horned Frogs, so the fact they had to claw back at home against the last place team in the Big 12 doesn’t bode well for Tuesday’s visit to Hilton Coliseum.
The Longhorns did demolish ISU in the most recent meeting, winning 63-41 last February to even easily cover the -9 point spread. Marcus Carr had 14 points in that game, and is back to lead Texas this season with 17.5 ppg.
Iowa State Defense Set to Dial In
The Texas at Iowa State betting matchup features an O/U of 131.5, but six straight head to head meetings had gone over the total prior to last February’s 63-41 Longhorns win. The Cyclones defense that ranks 7th in the country in points allowed (57.9) is a force, but Texas also leads the conference in scoring at 81.5 ppg.
The Cyclones did do a good job of containing Kansas on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse, especially in a game where the Jayhawks were celebrating their 125th basketball anniversary. If not for a 5-9 night from three from KU’s Gradey Dick, ISU likely gets the win and moves to 5-0 in conference play.
Despite their defense that ranks #5 in adjusted efficiency, Iowa State is still going to have to find some offense on Tuesday night. Gabe Kalscheur has been dialed in on that end, hitting a last second three-pointer for a 69-67 win over TCU and then following that up with 25 against Texas Tech and 23 against the Jayhawks.
Free Texas at Iowa State Betting Pick
There’s a lot of consensus bets on Iowa State on Tuesday night with the line moving just 1/2 a point up to ISU -2.5. The Longhorns definitely have a good squad, but struggling to get by against TCU and Texas Tech at home the last two games does cause some concern. This one is going to be close, but you have to give the lean towards ISU at home.
Free Pick: Iowa State -2.5
