The Iowa State Cyclones and the Arizona Wildcats continue Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona.
Tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. central on ESPN. The Cyclones (17-2, 7-1 in Big 12) are currently ranked third in the AP Top 25, while the Wildcats (13-6, 7-1 in Big 12) remain unranked.
Monday’s matchup between Iowa State and Arizona is set to be one of the most exciting games of the Big 12 regular season as the pair both find themselves deep in the fight for a Big 12 Championship. They sit tied for second in league play, one game back of the league-leading Houston Cougars (8-0).
Here is a preview of the game.
How to Watch Iowa State vs. Arizona Basketball
Date: Monday, January 27, 2025
Time: 9:30 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN
Site: McKale Memorial Center, Tucson, Arizona
Iowa State vs. Arizona Basketball Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Arizona -3.5
Current Line: Arizona -3
Over/Under: 152.5
Iowa State vs. Arizona Basketball Predictions
Monday night’s matchup marks one of the few games that the Cyclones enter as an underdog. The team has quickly established itself as one of the best in the country, with a cast of stellar Big 12 athletes. While the group is playing without one of their star forwards, Milan Momcilovic, the other four starters, along with the Big 12’s second-leading scorer, Curtis Jones, have ramped up their production significantly.
As for Arizona, the group has been a bit inconsistent in terms of scoring production, with some high-scoring wins and some sluggish losses. The trio of Caleb Love, Jaden Bradley, and KJ Lewis are doing the bulk of the Wildcats’ scoring, with the three combining for 36.8 points per game.
The biggest statistical difference in the game comes when dealing with each team’s offense relative to the other’s defense. The Cyclones and the Wildcats check in as the Big 12’s top-scoring offenses, while their defenses rank sixth and 10th, respectively.
While winning on the road in the Big 12 is never easy, Iowa State’s defense travels with them anywhere they go. They started out sluggish against Arizona State in their last outing before pulling away late to win 76-61. It’s safe to assume that getting off to a hot start and limiting second-change points will be key for the matchup’s winner.
Iowa State 79, Arizona 74
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Arizona (56.6% Chance of Winning)
