The Iowa State Cyclones have a forecast 86% chance to win against The Texas Tech Red Raiders with a spread of -9.0/9.0 and an over/under of 145.5. The Iowa State Cyclones are 0 – 0 against The Texas Tech Red Raiders in the 2021-22 Season.
— Wednesday, January 05th Texas Tech Red Raiders @ Iowa State Cyclones
A pair of top 25 teams with double-digit wins get together in the Big 12 as the No. 25 Texas Tech Red Raiders travel to face the No. 11 Iowa State Cyclones. The contest serves as the Big 12 opener for Texas Tech (10-2) while Iowa State (12-1, 0-1) fell from the ranks of the unbeaten with a five-point loss to No. 1 Baylor on New Year’s Day. Wednesday’s game at the James H. Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa tips off at 9:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
These teams have met 39 times in their history, with Iowa State leading 20-19, though the Red Raiders have won five straight. Last season TT won 81-54 in Ames and 91-64 at home. Head coaches T.J. Otzelberger (TT) and Mark Adams (ISU) have never faced each other, with this being Otzelberger’s first season in Lubbock.
Red Raiders Use Balanced Attack
The Red Raiders are 6-6 ATS this season, and the under is 7-5 in their 12 matchups. Both losses have come away from home as they are 8-0 in Lubbock, 0-1 in true road games and 2-1 in neutral-site contests. They are 1-2 against ranked teams with a win over Tennessee and losses to Providence and Gonzaga.
Texas Tech hasn’t played since December 28, as their game last Saturday against Oklahoma State was wiped out by COVID-19. They rank 35th in the nation in field goal percentage (48.1) but also average 14 turnovers per game. The defense has been great, ranking in the top 20 in the nation in rebounding (40.7), field goal percent defense (37.6), and points allowed (58.2).
Five players on the Texas Tech squad are averaging at least 9.0 points per game, led by Terrance Shannon Jr. at 14.3. Kevin McCullar (13.5), Bryson Williams (11.3), and Davion Warren (11.3) are also in double digits with Kevin Obanor at 9.2. McCullar leads the team with 6.1 rebounds per game and 3.5 assists per game, while Williams is shooting 46% from three-point range.
Cyclones Spread the Floor
The Cyclones are 9-4 ATS this season, and the under is 8-5 in their 13 games. They are 9-1 at Hilton with wins over Iowa and Oregon State and Saturday’s 77-72 loss to No. 1 Baylor. They beat two ranked teams in the NIT Tip-Off with a 12-point win over Xavier and a 19-point win over Memphis.
Izaiah Brockington leads the Cyclones with 17 ppg and 8.4 rpg while shooting 50% from the field and 42% from three-point range. Gabe Kalscheur (10.3) and Tyrese Hunter (10.0) are also in double figures scoring on the season, and the latter leads the team with 5.1 apg.
The Cyclones make nearly seven three-pointers per game, led by Caleb Grill, who has 24 makes while shooting 43%. Aljaz Kunc has made 14-of-27 from deep, and the Cyclones will look to stretch the court as Texas Tech has allowed the second-most three-pointers in the nation.
Betting Analysis
Texas Tech Red Raiders +1 (-110)
Iowa State Cyclones -1 (-110)
Total Points: 126.5 Over -110. Under -110
Both of these teams hang their hat on defense, but the Red Raiders struggle guarding the perimeter and that’s where ISU excels. The Cyclones have scored at least 72 points in three straight home games and six of the last seven, and they should be able to take care of the Red Raiders on Wednesday night.
FREE PICK: Iowa State -1 (-110).
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