Iowa State vs. South Dakota State Odds, Opening Spread, Predictions for 2024 NCAA Tournament

Iowa State vs. South Dakota State Odds

The 2024 NCAA Tournament field has been announced and Iowa State will take on South Dakota State in Round 1 of the East region. Here's everything you need to know about Iowa State vs. South Dakota State odds, spread and more.

Iowa State opened as a 16.5-point favorite over South Dakota State in the first round off the NCAA Tournament, with the total set at over/under 133.5 points scored by both teams combined.

Find out how 2-seeded Iowa State and 15-seeded South Dakota State matchup statistically ahead of their opening round matchup.

Statistical Matchup

Iowa State vs. South Dakota State Analysis

Iowa State head coach TJ Otzelberger gets dealt his former program in the first round, slotted in a 2-15 matchup when many thought the Cyclones did enough to steal the final top seed.

That’s a big distinction given the delta in 15 seeds that have pulled the upset versus just two 16 seeds to ever have done so. Since 2005, 15-seeds have a modestly better record ATS in first-round games (36-33) versus the 16-seeds (36-35-1).

This particular matchup might allow the Jackrabbits to hang around.

They allow the second-highest rate of 3-point attempts in the country, though that’s not how Iowa State beats its opponents. The Cyclones ranked second-to-last in the Big 12 in percentage of points from beyond the arc.

Narratively, Iowa State is receiving a lot of attention as a hot Final Four pick after it smoked Houston. Generally, those types of things boomerang. Even if not all the way to where the Jacks pull the upset, a close game — even for the first half — would not surprise me.

—Shane McNichol

For more coverage of the 2024 NCAA Tournament and Selection Sunday, make sure to check out our experts' live reactions to the bracket reveal and the Selection Sunday live show, where you can get their instant analysis on every matchup as well as some early insights to help you make your bets.