The Baylor Bears and the Iowa State Cyclones continue Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Ames, Iowa.
Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. central on CBS. The Bears (9-3, 1-0 in Big 12) are No. 25 in the AP Top 25 while Iowa State (11-1, 1-0) is No. 3.
Baylor opened up Big 12 play with a commanding 81-56 win over Utah at home, as freshman VJ Edgecombe put up 19 points. Iowa State was at Colorado for its opener and outlasted Colorado, 79-69.
It’s a great Top 25 matchup as the league enters the second round of the 20-game slate.
Here is a preview of Saturday’s game.
How to Watch Baylor vs. Iowa State
Date: Saturday, January 4, 2025
Time: 1 p.m. CT
TV Channel: CBS
Site: Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa
Baylor vs. Iowa State Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Iowa State -7.5
Current Line: Iowa State -9
Over/Under: 151.5
Baylor vs. Iowa State Predictions
Iowa State enjoys one of the best homecourt advantages in college basketball. The Cyclones haven’t lost at home yet this season. But they haven’t been tested like they’ll be tested by Baylor when the Bears hit town.
Baylor has won four straight and, after a stringent non-conference schedule, the Bears are starting to coalesce around forward Norchad Omier (16.1 ppg, 10.9 rpg) and freshman guard VJ Edgecombe (12.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.5 spg), who had one of his best games of the season against Utah.
Five different Bears are averaging double figures, but guards Robert Wright III and Jayden Nunn demand extra attention behind the 3-point line. Wright shoots 45% and Nunn shoots nearly 50%. The Cyclones can stretch that defense beyond the paint, but it could create more opportunities in the paint for Omier.
If you’re not a believer in Iowa State’s offensive production, you missed the Cyclones’ league opener. Colorado surged back to take a brief lead in the second half. In years past, the Iowa State offense may not have had an answer. The Cyclones do now. They quickly regained the lead, and control of the game, back.
When coach T.J. Otzelberger arrived four years ago this team was offensively challenged. It’s gotten better each year, but ISU has reached a critical mass. The Cyclones have guards Keshon Gilbert, Curtis Jones and Tamin Lipsey that can hurt you. Jones is shooting nearly 40% from the 3-point line.
The same goes inside. Forwards Joshua Jefferson, Dishon Jackson and Milan Momcilovic all have different ways to beat teams. Momcilovic stretches defenders to the 3-point line, where he shoots 44%. Jefferson is the leading rebounder and a quality passer. Jackson is an imposing defender.
All six are averaging double figures going into the game. Combined they average 76 points per game. Shutting down one, or even two of them, isn’t enough.
Iowa State 71, Baylor 68
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Iowa State (67.4% Chance of Winning)
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
