Iowa State Cyclones vs Kansas Jayhawks Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/13/2026

Game Time: 9:00 pm ET, Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Venue:  Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Iowa State -3.5, Kansas +3.5; Over/Under:  144.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Iowa State -3.5, Kansas +3.5; Over/Under:  144.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Iowa State -3.5, Kansas +3.5; Over/Under:  144.5 points

Iowa State Cyclones:  16-0 (3-0) (2nd place, Big 12)

Kansas Jayhawks:  11-5 (1-2) (9th place, Big 12)

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Iowa State Cyclones:  5-0  last 5

Kansas Jayhawks:  3-2  last 5

Iowa State is entering this game with a 16-0 record overall, a 3-0 record in conference games, and they are 2-0 in their road 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. Joshua Jefferson led the team in points in that game with 19 while Milan Momcilovic was next on the team with 18. Joshua Jefferson and Killyan Toure each led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Killyan Toure led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 47% from the field, 31% from 3-point range, and 80% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 88 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 62.9 PPG against them. Iowa State has an ATS record of 9-6-1 this season and their O/U record is 8-8.

Kansas is entering this game with an 11-5 record overall, a 1-2 conference record, and they are 6-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the West Virginia Mountaineers in their last game. Darryn Peterson led the team in points in that game with 23 while Tre White was next on the team with 18. Melvin Council Jr. led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Flory Bidunga and Darryn Peterson each led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 43% from the field, 30% from 3-point range, and 83% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 77.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 68.1 PPG against them. Kansas has an ATS record of 9-7 this season and their O/U record is 6-10.

The current betting odds have Iowa State listed as a 3.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Iowa State has looked great in their games this season with their 16-0 record overall and their 3-0 conference record which has them right at the top of the Big 12. They have been a good road team so far too with their 2-0 road record this year. Meanwhile, Kansas has looked good in their games this season with their 11-5 record overall, but their 1-2 conference record has them in the bottom half of the Big 12. They have looked good on their home court though with their 6-1 home record this season. Kansas has been struggling a lot this season as they have been in and out of the top 25 rankings, and lately they haven't looked that good either. They are 3-2 in their last 5 games and they are off a bad loss to West Virginia in their last one. Their best player hasn't really been playing in full games this season and they don't even have the talent to be a top team in the Big 12 this year. Iowa State has been rolling though as they are one of the few undefeated teams left in the nation, and they look like one of the best teams in the nation too. They are off a big win over Oklahoma State in their last one and they have been rolling over some really good opponents this season too. Iowa State clearly has a target on their back as an undefeated team, but they are going to bring their best effort for a program like Kansas and will try to beat up on them while they are down. Even when Kansas has won in the conference this season, they have needed some big comebacks and some late game heroics to win. The best way to place a bet here is on Iowa State to cover the spread in this game. 

Iowa State Kansas Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Tuesday, January 13, 2026 (9:00 pm ET start time) is Iowa State 74 Kansas 65.

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Iowa State Cyclones: 8-3 ATS as a road favorite or pick. 21-10 ATS off a win against a conference rival. 25-12 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 8-3 UNDER as a road favorite or pick. 12-6 UNDER off a home win against a conference rival.

Kansas Jayhawks: 6-12 ATS as an underdog. 3-6 ATS off an upset loss to a conference rival as a favorite. 3-7 ATS after allowing 85 points or more. 18-7 UNDER in a home game where the total is 140 to 149.5. 19-6 UNDER when playing against a top-level team (Win Pct. > 80%). 

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

Kansas Jayhawks:  W. Thengvall (G) Questionable - Undisclosed.

“They've had their moments this year, they've had their challenges. And at the same time, we know that we expect for them to be at their best. We know that they have an opportunity now to come back and be on their home court.” - T.J. Otzelberger on his team’s upcoming game against Kansas.

“The margin for error isn’t like it used to be. I mean, we’re not bringing pros in off the bench. Let’s just call it like it is. That’s not an excuse, because the guys out there are good enough. But the margin for ain’t. If [former Kansas star twins Markieff Morris and Marcus Morris] wanted to take a couple of possessions off and give up a couple of threes, you know what? You got to play a lot harder than that. But our Jimmies were better than your Joes.” - Bill Self after his team’s loss against WVU in their last game. 

B. Buchanan 

J. Jefferson 

T. Lipsey 

M. Momcilovic 

K. Toure

F. Bidunga 

M. Council 

J. McDowell 

B. Tiller 

T. White

PPG: Joshua Jefferson (17.7)

APG: Tamin Lipsey (5.5)

Reb/G: Joshua Jefferson (7.8)

PPG: Darryn Peterson (22.6)

APG: Melvin Council Jr. (5)

Reb/G: Flory Bidunga (8.9)

Coaches:

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

Kansas Jayhawks: Bill Self (23rd season)