The Iowa State Cyclones travel to play the TCU Horned Frogs in a Tuesday evening matchup set to tip off on FOX Sports 1 at 8:00 p.m. CT. Iowa State has won five in a row, is 8-2 in league play, and sitting 1.5 games back of first place in the Big 12 Conference. Meantime, TCU is in desperate need of a staple win for this team. The Horned Frogs are 4-6 in league play and are coming off a win vs. Baylor. Here’s a preview, prediction, key storylines, and updated odds to keep an eye on in this matchup as we get set for the game in Fort Worth, Texas.
Iowa State vs. TCU Basketball Odds
Iowa State opened up as 7.5-point favorites, with the over/under point total set at 146.5. The line has not budged as of Tuesday afternoon, but the over/under has creeped up to 147 or 147.5 in some sports books.
Key Storyline: Who Wins the Turnover Battle?
TCU has been sneaky good in this category, ranking third in the Big 12 in turnover margin at +2.32 per game, on average, trailing only Houston and Iowa State. The Horned Frogs are at home, should have a decent home crowd behind them, and if they can make Iowa State uncomfortable early with a few key turnovers, they just might be able to pull off the upset.
Match Up to Watch: Can TCU Stop the 3-Pointer?
Iowa State is the most efficient three-point shooting team in the Big 12. The Cyclones lead the league making 40.7% of their shots from long range. TCU has struggled defensively, ranking 12th in the league in three-point defense. If the Cyclones get hot from downtown early, it could be over before it really gets going.
Prediction: Iowa State 82, TCU 72
Iowa State is back on track and playing some of its best basketball of the season. TCU snapped its two-game losing streak on Saturday vs. K-State, but even in that game, they had to come back late to get the win. Iowa State is currently being overlooked in the Big 12 race, but this team has the firepower you want right now in the Big 12, ranking second in scoring, first in field goal percentage, and tops in three-point percentage. They lead the league in assists and in steals per game. TCU is going to be in over its head and I expect Iowa State to pull away late.
