The Iowa State Cyclones play the Arizona Wildcats in the Big 12 Tournament. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN Networks.
Arizona is favored by -4 points on the spread with a moneyline of -170. Meanwhile, Iowa State is the underdog at +4 with a moneyline of +145. The total is set at 143.5 points.
Here’s my Iowa State vs. Arizona predictions and college basketball picks for March 13, 2026.
Iowa State vs Arizona Prediction
My Pick: Under 143.5
My Iowa State vs Arizona best bet is on the under. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Iowa State vs. Arizona Odds
| Iowa State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | +145 |
| Arizona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | -170 |
- Iowa State vs Arizona spread: Arizona -4
- Iowa State vs Arizona over/under: 143.5 points
- Iowa State vs Arizona moneyline: Iowa State +145, Arizona -170
Iowa State vs Arizona College Basketball Betting Preview
If you're a fan of defense, this one is for you. Arizona and Iowa State met just once during the regular season, and the Wildcats won 73-57 in Tucson.
Iowa State is on quite a defensive roll so far in Kansas City. The Cyclones held Arizona State to 42 points and an unreal 0.61 points per possession (PPP). On Thursday, the Cyclones held Texas Tech to 53 points and 0.82 PPP.
The Cyclones rank fourth in defensive efficiency, per KenPom. They have a hyper-aggressive defense that hunts turnovers and gets them on 24% of possessions.
Iowa State ranks 109th in 2-point field goal defense and 31st in 3-point field goal defense. If the opponent can get inside on the Clones, they can score on them. It's easier said than done when that requires navigating past Tamin Lipsey and Killyan Toure, though.
T.J. Otzelberger is fine with a low-scoring game. If the final score is in the 70s, that's usually not Iowa State's preference.
I'm very lukewarm on Iowa State's offense. Sure, it shoots 38% from deep, but Milan Momcilovic carries that number. He's shooting 49% from deep. The only other rotation player above 34% is freshman reserve Jamarion Batemon. The lack of shooting from Lipsey and Toure has haunted them this season, and that could continue to.
Arizona will look to play much faster than Iowa State. The Wildcats love running in transition, as they play the 48th fastest tempo in America. On the flip side, Iowa State is 218th in adjusted tempo.
Shooting is far from a strength of Arizona. It attempts 3s on 26% of field goal attempts and makes 35% of them.
The only real shooting options are Brayden Burries, a highly-skilled guard who shoots 37% on high volume. His backcourt mate — Jaden Bradley — rarely takes 3s, but he can make them. The key is Anthony Dell'Orso, who shoots 30% from deep, but has more talent than a 30% shooter.
I think this game stays under and here's why: The pace matters, sure, but both teams are elite on the defensive end, too.
Iowa State just won't be able to score inside on Arizona. In the sole meeting between the two, Iowa State shot 33% from inside the arc.
Lipsey won't be able to get to his spots as easily against Bradley. And Jefferson, who serves as a point forward, can't back down on Tobe Awaka and Koa Peat like he can against other bigs.
That, along with the lack of shooting from both teams, should lead to a lower-scoring total. Give me the under.
My Pick: Under 143.5
