Colorado vs. Iowa State Basketball Prediction: Feb. 18, 2025
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN+
Location: Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa
Betting Odds:
- Opening Line: Iowa State -17.5
- Current Line: Iowa State -18.5
- Over/Under: 142.5
Team Records:
- Colorado: 10-15, 1-13 in Big 12
- Iowa State: 20-5, 10-4 in Big 12 (No. 8 in rankings)
Game Preview:
This Big 12 Conference matchup features a significant gap between the two teams. Iowa State enters as a strong contender at No. 8 in the nation, while Colorado has had a challenging conference season, sitting at the bottom with a 1-13 Big 12 record.
However, Colorado enters this game on the heels of their first conference win of the season, a 76-61 victory over UCF. The Buffaloes are looking to build on that momentum, but they face a tough challenge in Ames.
Colorado’s Struggles:
While Colorado has had a tough conference campaign, they’ve shown some promise in non-conference play. They have a deep bench with nine regular contributors, but their lack of consistent scoring has hindered their success in the Big 12. Senior guard Julian Hammond III is their top scorer, averaging 13.1 points per game, but the team has struggled to find scoring balance overall.
Colorado’s defense ranks 13th in the Big 12, which could be a significant disadvantage against Iowa State’s potent offense, which ranks second in the league, averaging over 80 points per game.
Iowa State’s Strengths:
Iowa State has bounced back well after a midseason slump, with recent victories against UCF and Cincinnati. They boast a dynamic offense led by Curtis Jones, and sophomore forward Milan Momcilovic has been on fire, shooting 43.7% from three-point range since returning from injury. The Cyclones have been strong offensively and will look to exploit Colorado’s defensive weaknesses.
Prediction:
Iowa State is the heavy favorite in this matchup, with an impressive 94.3% chance of winning according to ESPN’s matchup predictor. Expect Iowa State to continue their offensive dominance and secure a comfortable win.
Prediction Score: Iowa State 88, Colorado 61
