The Iowa State Cyclones take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Stillwater, OK. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Iowa State is favored by 9.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -550. The total is set at 163.5 points.
Here’s my Iowa State vs. Oklahoma State predictions and college basketball picks for January 24, 2026.
Iowa State vs Oklahoma State Prediction
My Pick: Oklahoma State +9.5 (Play to +8)
My Iowa State vs Oklahoma State best bet is on the Cowboys to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Iowa State vs. Oklahoma State Odds
| Iowa State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -110 | 163.5 -110o / -110u | -550 |
| OK State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -110 | 163.5 -110o / -110u | +400 |
- Iowa State vs Oklahoma State spread: Iowa State -9.5
- Iowa State vs Oklahoma State over/under: 163.5 points
- Iowa State vs Oklahoma State moneyline: Iowa State -550, Oklahoma State +400
Iowa State vs Oklahoma State College Basketball Betting Preview
Iowa State Basketball
Iowa State was 16-0 at one point and then it lost back-to-back road games. However, the Clones bounced back with a blowout win over UCF on Tuesday. The Cyclones' defensive foundation is built upon causing havoc and forcing turnovers, and they rank sixth nationally with a 23% turnover rate.
However, in the losses to Kansas and Cincinnati, the glaring issue was stopping dribble penetration from speedy guards. The Bearcats, who are one of the worst high-major offensive squads, tallied 1.19 points per possession (PPP). Plus, Kansas scored 84 and scored 1.29 PPP.
Both were very unlike the Cyclones, but the similarity was the quick guards.
In general, Iowa State is decent, but not elite, at defending the rim, ranking 88th in 2-point field goal defense.
Iowa State has its best offense of the T.J. Otzelberger era in Ames. The Cyclones rank 12th in KenPom's offensive efficiency, while shooting a dazzling 40% from deep.
I will say, the shooting is largely due to Milan Momcilovic hitting 54% from deep. He's the best shooter in the country and a tough cover at 6-foot-8. Defenses can relax a bit on Cyclones guards Killyan Toure and Tamin Lipsey in the half-court since neither shoots it well from deep.
The two players opponents have to keep an eye on are Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson, who tallied a triple-double in his last game. Jefferson might be listed as a forward, but he often serves as Iowa State's point guard.
Crashing the glass has been a source of success for the Clones, as they grab 37% of their misses.
Oklahoma State Basketball
Flipping the page to league play hasn't been ideal for Oklahoma State. It sits 14-5 overall and 2-4 in Big 12 action, including a 12-point loss in Ames to this same Iowa State squad.
Everything for the Cowboys is about pace and guard scoring. They deploy the 11th-fastest tempo in the country, a characteristic that every Steve Lutz-coached team has.
They have some dynamic guard scoring options. Anthony Roy is a dynamic shot-creator, leading the Cowboys with 17.6 points per game on 46% shooting and 45% from deep. Vyctorius Miller is another big-time scorer, but he didn't play in the first matchup against Iowa State.
The key will be the ball-handling by point guards Kanye Clary and Jaylen Curry. Both average more than four assists per game with a solid assist-to-turnover ratio, but Iowa State presents a unique set of challenges.
The Cowboys don't provide much defensive resistance, as they rank 94th in KenPom's defensive efficiency. They rank outside the top 175 in 2-point and 3-point field goal percentage.
Teams tend to let it fly from deep against an Oklahoma State squad, which often presents pressure. That can lead to some open looks from deep, though Iowa State really only has two shooters you have to worry about.
Since opponents shoot 3s at a 45% rate against Oklahoma State, that could be the best path to the Cowboys getting stops. They just will have to hope and pray Toure and Lipsey get some looks and miss.
Iowa State vs. Oklahoma State Betting Analysis
With the spread sitting at +9.5, I have to roll with Oklahoma State. These two teams already played a close game in an Iowa State-friendly spot.
I expect Oklahoma State, which now has a fully healthy lineup, to come out and attack this Iowa State defense.
To beat Iowa State's defense, you have to be the aggressor, and the Cowboys are real aggressors. They have the shot-creators to make things tough on an elite Cyclones defense.
My Pick: Oklahoma State +9.5 (Play to +8)
