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Iowa State (16-1) vs Cincinnati (9-8)
- When: Jan 17 2026, 2:00 PM
- Where: Fifth Third Arena, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Where to watch: Peacock
(2) Iowa State vs Cincinnati Preview & Prediction
Spread: Iowa State -7.0
Moneyline: Iowa State (-300)
Total: 142.0
Iowa State Cyclones Betting Breakdown
Iowa State heads into this matchup with something to prove after tasting defeat for the first time this season. The Cyclones opened the year with 16 straight wins before running into a buzzsaw on the road at Kansas, where a slow start buried them early. That loss exposed a recent trend of sluggish first halves that finally caught up to them.
Turnovers and poor shooting defined Iowa State’s struggles, especially early, as they failed to establish tempo or defensive pressure. While the Cyclones showed fight after halftime, the damage was already done. That said, this remains one of the most disciplined and balanced teams in the Big 12, and they have consistently responded well after adversity.
Despite the loss, Iowa State continues to defend at a high level and forces mistakes better than almost anyone in the conference. Laying seven points on the road is not automatic, but this is the type of spot where a focused Cyclones team usually cleans things up quickly and reasserts control.
Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Breakdown
Cincinnati comes in with renewed confidence after snapping a rough stretch in conference play. The Bearcats played with urgency in their most recent outing, jumping out to a massive early lead and surviving a late push to secure a much needed win. Effort and physicality were the difference, especially in transition and on the glass.
Baba Miller anchored Cincinnati on both ends, and the Bearcats capitalized on turnovers to generate easy points. That style will again be critical here because half court offense remains inconsistent. Cincinnati has struggled to close games cleanly, and lapses late have been a recurring issue this season.
At home, the Bearcats should bring energy and aggression, but sustaining that level for forty minutes against a locked in Iowa State team is a tall task. Cincinnati can hang around early, though offensive droughts could become costly.
Prediction and Betting Outlook
Expect a sharper start from the Cyclones after recent slow openings. Cincinnati’s energy may keep this competitive early, but Iowa State’s defense and depth should take over as the game settles.
The total leans slightly under given Iowa State’s defensive emphasis and Cincinnati’s uneven scoring efficiency.
Final Score: Iowa State 75, Cincinnati 65
Lean: Iowa State -7.0
Total: Under 142.0
- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
