The No. 20 Iowa State Cyclones have taken a nosedive since reaching high a couple of weeks ago with a win against then No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks. After two straight-losses, the Cyclones can rebound in a big way if they can take down the No. 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders on the road this coming Wednesday in Lubbock. Read on for a preview of this intriguing Big 12 matchup below, where the sportsbook favors Texas Tech by 5-points.
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Betting Preview for the Iowa State Cyclones vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders College Basketball Game on January 16, 2019
Where: United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock
When: Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 10:00 PM ET
Line: Iowa State Cyclones (+5) vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (-5) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Iowa State Cyclones (12-4 Overall / 2-2 Conference)
What a waste of momentum and opportunity for Iowa State. The Cyclones looked like they were going to climb higher up the AP Poll rankings after defeating then No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks in Ames on Jan. 5, but what they followed up that huge win by taking two straight losses against the Baylor Bears in Waco, 73-70, and against the Kansas State Wildcats at home, 58-57. Iowa State’s offense was hushed by Kansas State, but what also contributed to the Cyclones’ loss was the team being outrebounded by the Wildcats, 39-31. Granted that the Cyclones aren’t really a great rebounding team to begin with, getting offensive rebounds is of paramount importance for a team that’s misfiring from the field. Marial Shayok, who leads the Cyclones with 19.4 points per game, will look to rebound against the Red Raiders after a nine-point dud in the Kansas State game. The Cyclones 40th in the nation with 79.8 points per game.
Iowa State is 3-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last four games against the Red Raiders.
Betting on the Texas Tech Red Raiders (15-1 Overall / 4-0 Conference)
Texas Tech had it better last week than the Cyclones. The Red Raiders took down No. 23 Oklahoma Sooners (66-59) at home on Jan. 8 before ruining the Texas Longhorns’ weekend with a 68-62 road win in Austin last Saturday. As what the scores of those game suggest, it’s Texas Tech’s defense that’s making things happen for the team. Only the No. 4 Virginia Cavaliers are allowing fewer points to opposing teams than Texas Tech, which is giving up just 54.0 points per contest on average. That said, the Red Raiders blows every team in the nation out of the water in plenty other defensive categories. Their opponents are the worst in Division I basketball in effective field goal percentage, field goal percentage, and field goals allowed per game. KenPom also has Texas Tech No. 1 overall in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Texas Tech is 10-0 straight up (SU) in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Iowa State bounces back and wins, 75-73.
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