Iowa State Cyclones vs Houston Cougars Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 02/22/2025

Game Time: 2:00 pm ET, Saturday, February 22, 2025

Venue:  Fertitta Center, Houston, TX

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  ISU +9.5, Houston -9.5; Over/Under:  134.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  ISU +9.5, Houston -9.5; Over/Under:  134.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  ISU +9.5, Houston -9.5; Over/Under:  134.5 points

Iowa State Cyclones:  21-5 (11-4) (3rd place, Big 12)

Houston Cougars:  22-4 (14-1) (1st place, Big 12)

Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Jim Feist is on a HOT STREAK in college basketball on an 11-3 CBB RUN for +$7,720 PROFIT! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.

Iowa State Cyclones:  4-1  last 5

Houston Cougars:  5-0  last 5

Iowa State is entering this game with a 21-5 record overall, an 11-4 record in conference games, and they are 5-3 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Colorado Buffaloes in their last game. Milan Momcilovic and Dishon Jackson each led the team in points per game in that game with 13 while Tamin Lipsey and Joshua Jefferson each were next on the team with 12. Keshon Gilbert led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Joshua Jefferson led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 51.1% from the field, 47.6% from 3-point range, and 67.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 81.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 66.9 PPG against them. Iowa State has an ATS record of 15-11 this season and their O/U record is 12-14.

Houston is entering this game with a 22-4 record overall, a 14-1 conference record, and they are 13-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Arizona State Sun Devils in their last game. LJ Cryer led the team in points in that game with 18 while Emanuel Sharp was next on the team with 17. LJ Cryer led the team in assists with 6 in that game while Mylik Wilson led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 48.1% from the field, 47.8% from 3-point range, and 85% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 75.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 57.6 PPG against them. Houston has an ATS record of 15-11 this season and their O/U record is 12-13-1.

The current betting odds have Iowa State listed as a 9.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Iowa State has looked really good in their games this season with their 21-5 record overall and their 11-4 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big 12. They are ranked inside the top 10 at the moment and haven't been a bad road team either, going 5-3 in their road games this year. Meanwhile, Houston has looked great in their games this season with their 22-4 record overall and their 14-1 conference record which has them right at the top of the Big 12. They have looked great on their home court too with their 13-1 home record and they are ranked like one of the best teams in the nation. They are coming off a double digit road win over Arizona State in their last one and they have a ton of momentum on their side with 5 wins in a row now, but they have also struggled more lately against the better teams in the Big 12, playing in some tighter games. Iowa State is also coming off a double digit win over Colorado in their last one and they have their own momentum right now with 4 wins in a row. As good as Houston has been this season, they have played in some tighter games against top Big 12 opponents and that is exactly what they are getting here. This is also their only game against Iowa State this season so this is Iowa State's only chance to get a statement win against Houston on the road so expect Iowa State to bring their best effort here and keep this a tight game even if they lose. The best way to place a bet here is on Iowa State to cover the spread in this game. 

Iowa State Houston Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, February 22, 2025 (2:00 pm ET start time) is Houston 78 Iowa State 74.

Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Iowa State Cyclones Houston Cougars prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAB predictions and previews.

Iowa State Cyclones: 27-17 ATS when the total is 130 to 139.5. 23-12 ATS off a win against a conference rival. 24-14 ATS versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game. 10-4 UNDER in a road game where the total is 130 to 139.5. 15-6 UNDER off a home win against a conference rival. 

Houston Cougars: 4-9 ATS versus teams who average 9 or more steals/game on the season. 8-4 UNDER after successfully covering the spread in 3 or more consecutive games. 30-19 UNDER in all home games. 20-12 UNDER in a home game where the total is 130 to 139.5.

Iowa State Cyclones:  C. Hawley (F) Out - Shoulder.

Houston Cougars:  R. Walker (G) Out - Hand. J. McFarland (C) Out - Leg.

"They found the right guys that will fit into their culture to come in as well. They've done a good job as any of identifying the guys that will play for them and be successful." - T.J. Otzelberger on Houston this season. 

“Their system is a lot different. They trap from the baseline, we come from the middle, that’s an obvious one. They help off the corners, we don’t, that’s another obvious one. I think the most important thing on defense is not your system; it’s not how smart you are in putting your system together. It’s how hard you can get your kids to compete. That trumps anybody’s system, and I think that’s what makes Iowa State special.” - Kelvin Sampson on Iowa State this season.

K. Gilbert 

D. Jackson 

J. Jefferson 

T. Lipsey 

M. Momcilovic

L. Cryer 

J. Roberts 

E. Sharp 

J. Tugler 

M. Uzan

PPG: C. Jones (17.2)

APG: K. Gilbert (4.5)

Reb/G: J. Jefferson (7.9)

PPG: L. Cryer (14.5)

APG: M. Uzan (4.9)

Reb/G: J. Roberts (6.4)

Coaches:

Iowa State Cyclones: T.J. Otzelberger (4th season)

Houston Cougars: Kelvin Sampson (11th season)