Colorado Buffaloes vs Iowa State Cyclones Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/29/2026

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Thursday, January 29, 2026

Venue:  Hilton Coliseum, Ames, IA

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Colorado +17.5, ISU -17.5; Over/Under:  154.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Colorado +17.5, ISU -17.5; Over/Under:  154.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Colorado +17.5, ISU -17.5; Over/Under:  154.5 points

Colorado Buffaloes:  12-8 (2-5) (12th place, Big 12)

Iowa State Cyclones:  18-2 (5-2) (5th place, Big 12)

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Colorado Buffaloes:  0-5  last 5

Iowa State Cyclones:  3-2  last 5

Colorado is entering this game with a 12-8 record overall, a 2-5 record in conference games, and they are 1-3 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Central Florida Knights in their last game. Sebastian Rancik, Isaiah Johnson, and Barrington Hargress each led the team in points in that game with 20 while Bangot Dak was next on the team with 11. Isaiah Johnson led the team in assists with 6 in that game while Bangot Dak led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 51.8% from the field, 55% from 3-point range, and 77.3% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 82.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 78 PPG against them. Colorado has an ATS record of 9-11 this season and their O/U record is 10-10.

Iowa State is entering this game with an 18-2 record overall, a 5-2 conference record, and they are 11-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in their last game. Milan Momcilovic led the team in points in that game with 29 while Joshua Jefferson was next on the team with 20. Tamin Lipsey led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Blake Buchanan led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 51% from the field, 42.3% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 85.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 64.9 PPG against them. Iowa State has an ATS record of 11-8-1 this season and their O/U record is 9-11.

The current betting odds have Iowa State listed as a 17.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Iowa State has looked great in their games this season with their 18-2 record overall and their 5-2 conference record which has them in the top half of the Big 12. They have looked great on their home court too with their 11-0 home record this season. Meanwhile, Colorado hasn't looked great in their games this season with their 12-8 record overall and their 2-5 conference record which has them in the bottom half of the Big 12. They haven't been a good road team either with their 1-3 road record this year. Colorado is off a loss to UCF in their last one and they have looked terrible lately with 5 losses in a row now. They have looked more competitive in their home losses, but they are still getting blown out in a lot of their games, and now they have to go on the road against one of the best teams in the conference. Iowa State is 3-2 in their last 5 games and hit a snag after taking their first loss of the year, but they bounced back with a huge win over Oklahoma State in their last one and they have been rolling over opponents on their home court all season. They have a lot of talent on their team this year that can compete with the best of the best in the Big 12, and they do have some really impressive wins under their belt this season. Colorado doesn't have the talent to compete with Iowa State on the road here so look for Iowa State to continue rolling at home as they look to get back on track. The best way to place a bet here is on Iowa State to cover the spread in this game. 

Colorado Iowa State Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Thursday, January 29, 2026 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Iowa State 88 Colorado 64.

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Colorado Buffaloes: 6-11 ATS after failing to cover the spread in 3 or more consecutive games. 6-13 ATS as a road underdog or pick. 1-9 ATS off a home loss against a conference rival. 7-2 UNDER off a home loss against a conference rival. 10-4 UNDER after 3 or more consecutive losses.

Iowa State Cyclones: 56-33 ATS in all games. 25-15 ATS as a favorite of 10 or more points. 22-11 ATS off a win against a conference rival. 7-2 UNDER as a home favorite of 12.5 to 18 points. 8-2 UNDER when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%).

Colorado Buffaloes:  J. Mani (G) Out - Redshirt. L. Van Elswyk (C) Out - Redshirt.

Iowa State Cyclones:  X. Mitchell (F) Questionable - Undisclosed. M. Williams (G) Out - Hip.

“Central Florida played their tail off tonight. We didn't do anything to slow them down or shut them down by any means. The team comes into your building and shoots 61% and outrebounds you by nine and you miss 27 shots. We only had four offensive rebounds. So we have to get better." - Tad Boyle after his team’s loss against UCF in their last game. 

"Joshua's vocally taking over this team in such a great way. We're seeing all the stats and the numbers. That doesn't begin to tell the story about what a great job he's doing leading our team." - T.J. Otzelberger on Joshua Jefferson this season.

B. Dak 

B. Hargress 

F. Kossaras 

E. Malone 

S. Rancik

B. Buchanan 

J. Jefferson 

T. Lipsey 

M. Momcilovic 

K. Toure

PPG: Isaiah Johnson (16.2)

APG: Barrington Hargress (4.6)

Reb/G: Bangot Dak (7.4)

PPG: Milan Momcilovic (18.8)

APG: Tamin Lipsey (5.4)

Reb/G: Joshua Jefferson (7.8)

Coaches:

Colorado Buffaloes: Tad Boyle (16th season)

Iowa State Cyclones: T.J. Otzelberger (5th season)