Game Time: 10:00 PM  ET, Friday, March 25th, 2022

Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois

Where to Watch:  TBS

 

DraftKings Sportsbook: Miami -2.5; O/U 133.5

Caesars:  Spread:  Miami -2.5; O/U 133

VegasInsider:  Spread:  Miami -2.5; O/U 133

FanDuel: Spread:  Miami -2.5; O/U 133

Iowa State: 20-11 on the season (Big 12)

Miami: 22-9 on the season (ACC)

A Sweet Sixteen matchup that is exactly what March Madness is all about.  Both the Cyclones and the Hurricanes have been described as “lucky to be here”. Iowa State started the season as a top-25 team, but did so much losing in the Big-12 (7-11)... that even being in the tournament is a bit of a miracle.  Miami started the season on a very bumpy ride… but then turned it around when they hit conference play.  Both teams have their detractors… both teams have their excuses.. Both teams are a win away from the Elite-Eight in the NCAA tournament.  Vegas is setting the point spread very close in this one… when an 11 and a 10 play each other and they are both “lucky to be here” literally anything can happen.  The betting opportunity here is most likely on the Under… but let’s look at the numbers and make a prediction on the spread as well.

The Iowa State Cyclones have won 6 of their last ten games (including tournament play).  Going 6-4 ATS along the way.  The two most important games of that stretch of course are the last two as they were win or go home tournament games… so obviously they went 2-0, but they also went 2-0 ATS.  They were close games, first beating LSU 59-54… then beating Wisconsin 54-49… Iowa State was the underdog in both games.  In fact Iowa State is the underdog again here.  Against Wisconsin Iowa State had to lean heavily on Guard Gabe Kalscheur who had 22 points in a low scoring game… the only other Iowa State player to hit double figures in scoring was Guard Izaiah Brockington who added 10 pts.  Iowa State is a low scoring team to begin with ranking 277th in the nation and getting only 67.3 ppg.  They rely heavily on defense.  A swarming, switching defense that requires full effort from everybody.  Iowa State may not be favored but they certainly seem like the more cohesive unit of the two teams.  They switch well after picks and they get their hands into passing lanes.

The Miami Hurricanes have won 7 of their last ten games (including tournament play)... They went 7-2-1 ATS during that stretch.  Miami is a hustling squad that covered the spread when they lost to Duke in the ACC tournament.  They also were slight underdogs in their first two NCAA tournament games… beating first the USC Trojans 68-66 then the Auburn Tigers 79-61.  The Auburn game was a big win!  Winning a tournament game by 18 points when you come in as a 6.5 points underdog is a big deal.  It demands that people start paying attention.  What benefits Miami is also what will give Iowa State fits.  Miami Guard Kameron McGusty is a 6’5 bucket getter.  He averages 17.5 ppg, but in their win over Auburn McGusty poured in 20 points on 10-18 shooting.  Plus if basketball doesn’t work out Kameron has a top-notch TV Weatherman name if I ever heard one.  Overall Miami has a strong offense netting 74.9 ppg.. But a shaky defense that allowed 70.8 ppg.

We have a matchup of the good defense of Iowa State vs the good offense of Miami… Vice Versa when you measure the bad.  Usually in basketball good offense can trump most other things… but here there is a blip.  Miami gets its good offense by pushing its pace… they speed up the game and move quickly to the basket.  This plays into the hands of Iowa State who are such good defenders against the break.  It also will give Iowa State more room to score the ball as they need broken plays to get easy baskets on the other end.  Both teams have statistical leaders in rebounding that play Guard!  Iowa State is ready to run with Miami.  

Monty Hale went 1-0 on Wednesday hitting his NIT Game of the Year on Washington State + the points. Monty is 3-0 100% this week. Monty is 60+% Overall in BOTH CBB and NBA this season. Monty is also 18-4 81% on his Show Me The Money Total Plays. Make sure to pick up MONTY'S NCAA TOURNAMENT THIRD ROUND GAME OF THE YEAR & THIRD ROUND TOTAL OF THE YEAR RIGHT NOW! Don't miss out! Get Monty Hale’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!   

Iowa State is 22-12 while going 19-15 ATS.  They have logged 15 Overs and 19 Unders.  They are 4-1 on neutral courts.

Miami is 25-10 while going 20-14-1 ATS.  They have notched 20 Overs and 15 Unders.  They are 5-3 on neutral courts.  

Iowa State is 277th in scoring with 67.3 ppg,. 320th in rebounds with 29.1 per game, and 135th in AST/TO ratio with 1.1.  On defense they rank 27th while holding opponents to 62.7 ppg.

Our prediction for Friday, March 25th is… Iowa State 71 - Miami 70

This is what we live for!  Iowa State is a small underdog, but everyone seems to be forgetting the top-25 ranking they held in the beginning of the season.  It is clear from the last two wins that the Owa State defense can withstand offensive teams.  Miami has soared high so far, but do not forget Coach Larranaga was up against fans and boosters who wanted him out this last offseason.  Iowa State gets the win.  A win for Iowa State is an obvious cover. Plus you get 2 points to put in your pocket to protect against a buzzer beater.

Don't miss our champion handicappers' Free NCAAB Picks and Premium Selections every day here at Bigal.com.  Just click on Shop Picks for our Best Bets, or click on Shop Subscriptions to join for a week or a month.  And if you enjoyed this Cyclones/Hurricanes preview, be sure to bookmark Bigal.com for our daily Game Previews and Predictions. And come back for the NBA, NFL, Big Games, college basketball picks, and any current betting odds or betting insights.

 

Iowa State is 1-0 ATS and straight up in their only matchup since 1997.

Iowa State is 65-49 ATS in neutral court games since 1997.

Miami is 11-3 ATS in March games the last 3 seasons.

Miami is 18-7 ATS versus very good defensive teams in the last 3 seasons.

Iowa State: No injuries to report

Miami: G Harlond Beverly Out

Iowa State: Izaiah Brockington, Aljaz Kunc, Tyrese Hunter, Robert Jones, Gabe Kalscheur

Miami: Isaiah Wong, Charlie Moore, Jordan Miller, Sam Waardenburg, Kameron McGusty

Cyclones

Points: Izaiah Brockington 17.1

Assists: Tyrese Hunter 4.9

Rebounds: Izaiah Brockington 6.8

Steals: Tyrese Hunter 2.0

Blocks: George Conditt IV 0.9

Hurricanes

Points: Kameron McGusty 17.5

Assists: Charlie Moore 4.6

Rebounds: Jordan Miller 6.0

Steals: Charlie Moore 2.1

Blocks: Sam Waardenburg 1.3

Iowa State: TJ Otzelberger

Hurricanes: Larranaga