The Iowa State Cyclones are set to face the Wisconsin Badgers. Check out our March Madness odds series, which includes our Iowa State Wisconsin prediction, odds, and pick.
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The Iowa State Cyclones had the perfect situation relative to their March Madness odds in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Yet, having an advantage means nothing without taking advantage. Iowa State made great use of its position and defeated the LSU Tigers to advance in the bracket.
Iowa State played in Milwaukee, much closer to its own campus than LSU was. Despite being an 11 seed compared to the sixth-seeded Tigers, Iowa State had a more favorable geographical placement. The Cyclones also benefited from the fact that LSU had to fire Will Wade due to a recent notice of allegations and impending severe penalties against the basketball program. LSU went into this game with an interim coach and a low level of morale, knowing that the hammer will soon drop in Baton Rouge. Iowa State put the clamps on LSU's offense and scored a 59-54 victory despite scoring just three points in a span of almost 10 minutes, briding the final 6:41 of the first half and the first two and a half minutes of the second half. The Cyclones, under coach T.J. Otzelberger, made a quantum leap from 2021. ISU won only two games last year under previous coach Steve Prohm. Otzelberger turned in a coach-of-the-year-worthy performance over the past four months for the Cyclones. This is something to keep in mind when making an Iowa State Wisconsin prediction.
The Wisconsin Badgers were neck and neck with the Colgate Raiders for most of Friday night's late game in Milwaukee, which ended after midnight local time. Colgate began the second half on fire, hitting six of its first seven 3-point attempts after halftime and grabbing a small lead. Wisconsin, which shared the Big Ten title with Illinois this season, had struggled over the past week and entered the Colgate game having lost two straight. The Badgers needed to cool off Colgate's 3-point shooting, or they were going to get bounced from the Big Dance.
Wisconsin succeeded. Colgate's offense went cold in the last five minutes of regulation. Wisconsin gained a working margin and preserved it, delighting the Milwaukee crowd which was packed with UW fans. If you are thinking about an Iowa State Wisconsin pick, you have to factor the Milwaukee location into your assessment.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Iowa State-Wisconsin odds:
March Madness Odds: Iowa State-Wisconsin Odds
Iowa State: +3 (-110)
Wisconsin: -3 (-110)
Over: 125.5 (-106)
Under: 125.5 (-110)
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Why Iowa State Could Cover the Spread
The Cyclones play fantastic defense and will therefore stay close the whole way.
Why Wisconsin Could Cover the Spread
The Badgers have better offensive players than the Cyclones. Iowa State also goes through at least one very long scoring drought each game. That will be enough for Wisconsin to cover a spread which is not very large.
Final Iowa State-Wisconsin Prediction & Pick
If this was a seven-point spread, take Iowa State, but since it's a three-point spread, take Wisconsin. The game will be close, but it might not be a nail-biter, which is what Iowa State would need to cover.
Final Iowa State-Wisconsin Pick: Wisconsin -3
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