After blowing away their Big 12 tournament foes N.C. Central in impressive fashion, the Iowa State Cyclones were looking like possible Final Four contenders. However, a massive injury to Georges Niang may have deflated those lofty tournament dreams.
Can the Cyclones find their second wind just in time to take down the tricky North Carolina Tar Heels? We’ve got a full breakdown down of the info you need to bet on this high-octance Round of 32 match up below.
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No. 3 Iowa State Cyclones vs. No. 6 North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview
When: Sunday, March 23, 5:15 PM EST
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
Line: No. 6 North Carolina Tar Heels (+1.5) at No. 3 Iowa State Cyclones (-1.5); total 159.0
Betting on the Iowa State Cyclones
[sc:finalfour240 ]No. 3 Iowa State was the epitome of offensive efficiency in its very impressive 18-point win over No. 14 North Carolina Central in their first Madness game. The Cyclones shot 64% from the field, 53% from beyond the arc and 88% from the free throw line en route to 93 points, tied for the most points scored so far in the tournament.
All five starters scored in double figures, led by sophomore Georges Niang’s 24 points. But unfortunately for the Cyclones, they will now be without their third-leading scorer for the rest of the tournament, after Niany broke his foot against N.C. Central.
It’s a big loss for Iowa State, but they are one of the more balanced teams in the Big Dance, so it may not slow them too much. Niang was a force but the Cyclones were not a one-tricky pony: Big 12 Player of the Year Melvin Ejim (18.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG) and Big 12 tournament MVP DeAndre Kane (17.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG) are more than capable of leading the team.
Betting on the North Carolina Tar Heels
The North Carolina Tar Heels escaped by the skin of their teeth to hold off Big East champions Providence, 79-77. Despite the win, the 4.5-point favorite Tar Heels have now failed to cover their last six games in a row.
UNC barely withstood the 36-point onslaught from Friars guard Bryce Cotton, countering with five players in double digits, led by Marcus Paige’s 19 points. Brice Johnson also added 16, his third straight game of 15 or more points off the bench, while shooting a scintillating 76%.
Rather worryingly for the Tar Heels, their defense has now allowed their last three opponents to shoot above 50% while also giving up an average of 31 free throw attempts per game.
Prediction
Iowa State’s loss is North Carolina’s gain, one it will use to topple the no. 3 Cyclones. Niang’s injury shifts the offensive advantage to the Tar Heels, whose forwards also won’t have the added strain of guarding Niang on defense.
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