The Oklahoma Sooners are dropping like a rock. They are hoping a matchup against the Iowa State Cyclones this week is their life boat. Iowa State is last in the Big 12 so there is the ability for Oklahoma to shake out of its funk, but it isn’t the easiest task on the road.
The Cyclones knocked off a ranked West Virginia tema in their most recent home game and would love to pull another upset. The Sooners are losing ground in their aim to secure a top seed in the NCAA Tournament and are hoping to get back on track as the postseason looms.
Oklahoma could be favored by a couple of points but the location of this game could contribute to it becoming a competitive contest. The Cyclones are hoping to play spoiler in this matchup.
At 2 p.m. ET, tune into CBS for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Saturday, February 10, 2018, at the Hilton Coliseum.
We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Saturday schedule.
Odds Analysis
Oklahoma is 16-7 straight up but only 9-14 against the spread. The Sooners have covered in two of their seven attempts on the road this season. They have gone 7-12 against the spread as the favorite. The Sooners have failed to cover in four consecutive games coming into this matchup.
Iowa State is 12-10 straight up and 7-12-1 against the spread. The Cyclones are 4-5-1 against the spread at home this season, which is a much better mark than on the road. Iowa State has covered in four of 12 games this season as the underdog.
Player To Watch
Trae Young —The Oklahoma freshman guard has been one of the most dynamic players in the country this season and is the player Iowa State will expend its energy trying to stop Young is averaging 29.9 points, 9.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game this season, some of the gaudiest numbers in college basketball.
Young has played his way into a likely lottery pick in the NBA draft so he will likely only be at Oklahoma this season. He had 32 points on 10-of-20 shooting last time out against West Virginia but only had one assist. Young was sick during the game and didn’t have his usual energy, although still put up a boatload of points.
Young is hitting 44.8 percent of his shots from the field and 39.3 percent from three-point range. He is going to take his shots, but Iowa State needs to force him into some tough ones.
Scheduling Situation
The Cyclones are in the midst of their toughest stretch this season. Beginning with a matchup against No. 12 Kansas on January 9th, they are facing eight ranked opponents in an 11-game stretch.
The Cyclones lost that game against Kansas, 83-78. They have gone 2-4 thus far against six ranked teams, knocking off No. 8 Texas Tech and then West Virginia.
Iowa State will close this stretch with a rematch against Kansas before also facing West Virginia and Oklahoma again to close the season. The Cyclones aren’t the greatest team in the world but the schedule has been brutal, making it tough to pick up wins.
Free NCAA Men’s Basketball ATS Picks
Oklahoma was playing really well early in the season but has dropped five of its last seven. The Sooners might not be as good as they looked early on but aren’t as bad as they have looked of late. Take Oklahoma to capture this victory, easier than the oddsmakers may project.
Iowa State doesn’t have enough firepower to keep up in this matchup. The Sooners should score a lot, so the “over” could be in play on the total.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Odds: Oklahoma 86, Iowa State 76
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