Game Time: 7:20 PM  ET, Friday, March 18th, 2022

Venue: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Where to Watch:  TBS

 

DraftKings Sportsbook:  LSU -4; O/U 127.5

Caesars:  Spread:  NL

VegasInsider:  Spread:  LSU -4; O/U 127.5

FanDuel: Spread:  LSU -4; O/U 127.5

Iowa State: 20-12 overall, Big 12 Conference   #11 Seed

LSU: 22-11 overall, SEC Conference                #6 Seed

This year’s March Madness is throwing the bettors some crazy good betting opportunities!  The first round is always fun for the errand upset or the crazy close game… but this year the gambling is more obvious than in year’s past.  Iowa State is a solid #11 Seed.  They are a tough team that plays scrappy defense.  Scoring for Iowa State is where they struggle. In fact if you include their Big12 tournament loss?.. Iowa State is on a three-game losing streak to good defensive teams.  Oklahoma State Cowboys, Baylor Bears, and Texas Tech Red Raiders… all three teams are in the tournament somewhere.  Of those games the only win ATS was versus Baylor where the spread was -12.5.  Iowa State can hang with a lot of teams… yet they are very spotty ATS.  The LSU Tigers come out of the SEC a little beaten and bloodied.  The Tigers are on a 3 game losing streak ATS.  Sure they beat Alabama in the last game of the season and they beat the Missouri Tigers in the first game of the Big 12 Tournament and then lost to the Arkansas Razorbacks (ISU was favored), but they solidly lost all three games ATS.  The 11 losses Iowa State suffered this year are a who’s who of the NCAA tournament.  Big programs, blue blood programs… teams like Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee… etc.  

Iowa State is on a 3-game losing streak going back to the regular season.  In fact they have only won 4 of their last ten games total.  The late season swoon is because they simply can't score and their defensive intensity no longer scares anyone.

LSU has won 6 of their last ten games.  They lost in the second round of the three round SEC conference Championship.  They went 5-5 ATS during that stretch.  Leading scorer 6’8 power forward Tari Eason gets 17 ppg, but was made for breaking the ISU defense.  He has everything they are weak against which is simply size and might on the blocks.  LSU will go down low often to break the ISU pesky guards from having any control over the game.  

Al McMordie was 0-2 in the NBA yesterday, and is 78-52 his last 130. Big Al was 28-19-1 in the Conference Tourneys, and was 4-0-1 in last year's NIT. Here, pick up Big Al's Tuesday NIT Tourney Winner out of a super 18-2 ATS angle. Pick it up right now, and HIT IT HARD! Don't miss out! Get Big Al’s pick!!  It's available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers. Also don’t miss Monday’s picks!!  All your NCAA basketball needs for the entire college basketball season!  All your needs in any sport for that matter!   

ISU is 20-12 on the season, but 17-15 ATS.  They have logged 15 Overs and 17 Unders.  They are 2-1 on neutral courts.

LSU is 22-11 on the season, but 19-14 ATS.  They have notched 14 Overs and 19 Unders.  They are 4-1 on neutral courts.

Iowa State is 277th in scoring at 67.3 ppg, 320th in rebounds with 29.1 per game, and 135th in AST/TO ratio with 1.1.  On defense they excel and are ranked 27th while holding opponents to 62.6 ppg.

LSU is 129th in scoring with 73.2 ppg, 53rd in rebounds with 34.7, 294th in AST/To ratio with 0.9.  On defense they excel more than Iowa State and are ranked 30th while holding opponents to 62.9 ppg.

Our prediction for Friday, March 18th is… LSU 74 - ISU 67

LSU is better on offense by a wide margin, but also better on defense by a bit. LSU has also built those numbers while playing equal competition to Iowa State.  So, this is a win for LSU and a cover.  The March Madness time of year is the time to hope for upsets and be thrilled by the close calls.  This game does not feel like one of those.  LSU is better at defense and offense.  The outcome based on shooting percentage alone leans toward LSU... but the big factor is 4th quarter scoring against good defenses.  LSU blows ISU out of the water in that regard.

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Iowa State is 7-1 ATS after failing to cover 2 of their last 3 games this season.

LSU is 10-3 ATS in non-conference games this season.

ISU: No injuries to report

LSU: G Adam Miller (knee) out for season.

ISU: Izaiah Brockington, George Conditt IV, Ajaz Kunc, Tyrese Hunter, Gabe Kalscheur

LSU: Brandon Murray, Xavier Pinson, Darius Days, Mwani Wilkinson, Efton Reid

ISU

Points: Izaiah Brokcington 17.2

Assists: Tyrese Hunter 4.9

Rebounds: Izaiah Brockington 7.1

Steals: Tyrese Hunter 1.9

Blocks: George Conditt IV 0.8

LSU

Points: Tari Eason 16.9

Assists: Xavier Pinson 4.7

Rebounds: Darius Days 7.7

Steals: Eric Gaines 2.1

Blocks: Tari Eason 1.1