The Iowa State Cyclones and the Utah Utes continue Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Ames, Iowa.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. central on ESPN+. The Cyclones (12-1, 2-0 in Big 12) are ranked No. 3 in the AP Top 25 and Utah (8-5, 2-0) is not ranked.
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Iowa State has won nine straight games and is coming off a 74-55 win over then-No. 25 Baylor at Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones have also won 26 straight games at home.
Utah is coming off a 93-65 loss to Texas Tech on Saturday and has lost four of its last six games, dating back to a loss to Saint Mary’s on Dec. 7.
Here is a preview of Tuesday’s game.
How to Watch Utah vs. Iowa State
Date: Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Time: 7 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN+
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Site: Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa
Utah vs. Iowa State Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Iowa State -18
Current Line: Iowa State -17.5
Over/Under: 152
Utah vs. Iowa State Predictions
Iowa State is a two-point loss to Auburn in Maui away from being undefeated. Saturday’s blowout of Baylor only provided further proof that, for the moment, this is the most complete Cyclones team of coach T.J. Otzelberger’s tenure.
ISU is scoring more than 86 points per game and giving up just 65 points per game. Holding Baylor to 55 points, given all the tools the Bears have on the offensive end, is emblematic of the most fascinating part of this year’s transformation. ISU is better on offense than it has ever been under Otz, but it’s not sacrificing that world-famous defense.
Forward Joshua Jefferson may have been the co-Big 12 newcomer of the week (his third such award this season), but what forward Dishon Jackson is doing is just as impressive inside. When he committed, I thought he was going to be “the guy” inside. But, like most of the Cyclones, he’s not hung up on credit. He only scored five points against Baylor, but he pulled down 10 rebounds.
Utah has now lost every high-major game it has played to this point (0-4). Worse, now that the Utes are in Big 12 play the points aren’t coming. They’ve averaged 60.5 points in their two Big 12 games.
Both Baylor and Texas Tech put leading scorer Gabe Madsen on lockdown, as Utah’s leading scorer had seven combined points in the first two league games (he averages 16.5 ppg). Utah needs to get him freed up offensively, but against Iowa State that will be a tall order.
Reality may be setting in for the Utes, who won 19 games last season and claimed an NIT berth last season. Reaching 19 wins may be a much harder ask this season.
I don’t generally predict blowouts. But, Utah has lost its two league games by 26.5 points and the Cyclones are the Big 12’s best team. Plus, it’s at Hilton. This could get out of hand.
Iowa State 79, Utah 67
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Iowa State (89.3% Chance of Winning)
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
