The No. 5 Iowa State Cyclones will face the struggling Utah Utes in a college basketball matchup set for Tuesday night in Salt Lake City. This clash at the Jon M. Huntsman Center is scheduled to tip off at 9 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted on FS1. As both teams prepare for the game, insights and predictions have emerged regarding their current form and potential outcomes.
Iowa State, sporting a 23-4 record and 10-4 in Big 12 play, is looking to bounce back after suffering a defeat at the hands of No. 23 BYU. The Cyclones faced a tough challenge against the Cougars, who shot an impressive 66.7% on two-point attempts, leading to a final score of 79-69 and marking the Cyclones’ second consecutive road loss.
Meanwhile, the Utes are enduring a challenging season with a 10-17 record and 2-12 in conference play. Utah’s struggles continued last Saturday when they narrowly lost 73-71 to UCF, marking their eighth defeat in the last nine games. Although Utah rallied late in the game, a scoring drought ultimately cost them, resulting in a fourth straight home loss.
In their previous meeting on January 7, 2025, Iowa State came out on top with a decisive 82-59 victory over Utah, demonstrating their dominance, especially as 16.5-point home favorites.
BetMGM Sportsbook currently favors Iowa State with strong odds of -1200 on the moneyline, while Utah sits at +725. The Cyclones are also favored by 12.5 points against the spread, suggesting confidence in their ability to cover the margin. The over/under for the contest is set at 143.5.
Experts predict a comfortable win for the Cyclones, estimating a final score of Iowa State 79, Utah 64. Iowa State’s defense is expected to pose significant challenges for the Utes, particularly as Utah’s standout guard Terrence Brown has struggled with his recent performance, averaging only 13.7 points in the last six games.
The betting analysis highlights that Iowa State has a well-rounded game plan, likely leading to an emphasis on defense and a controlled tempo that could favor the Under on the points total, which has hit in seven straight games for Utah.
With strong statistical backing and an advantageous matchup, Iowa State will aim to turn their recent road woes around, while Utah hopes for a surprising turnaround to salvage their season. As the teams prepare to clash, anticipation builds for an exciting night of college basketball.