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The Niagara Purple Eagles take on the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames, Iowa. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Iowa State is favored by 38.5 points on the spread, with the total set at 143.5 points.
Here’s my Niagara vs. Iowa State prediction and college basketball picks for November 15, 2026.
Niagara vs Iowa State Prediction
Pick: Iowa State -38.5 (Play to -39.5)
My Niagara vs Iowa State best bet is on the Cyclones to cover the spread. Be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page and download the Action Network app for the latest picks and analysis.
Niagara vs Iowa State Odds
| Niagara Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+38.5 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | |
| Iowa State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-38.5 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | |
- Niagara vs Iowa State spread: Niagara +38.5 (-110), Iowa State -38.5 (-110)
- Niagara vs Iowa State over/under: 143.5 (-110 / -110)
Niagara vs Iowa State College Basketball Preview
Niagara Basketball
Niagara is off to a very tough start, checking in with a 0-3 record. The Purple Eagles' only similar competition to Iowa State was a road game against West Virginia, which they lost by 45 points.
Neither end of the floor has been very encouraging if you’re a Niagara fan. It ranks 328th in offensive efficiency and 332nd in defensive efficiency, per KenPom.
Shooting has kept Niagara above water offensively, as it’s hitting 37% from deep and taking 3s at a 48% rate.
That’s a concern, though. If the only thing Niagara does well is shoot, it leaves the Purple Eagles susceptible to a clunker if that shot making regresses.
That's particularly true since they turn the ball over 23% of the time, only collect 16% of their offensive boards and shoot just 42% on 2. All of those are bottom 40 nationally.
Greg Paulus only has one double-digit scorer on his roster: guard Logan Woods, a transfer from Wright State, at 13 points per game. Bastian Rieber has been another consistent source of scoring, as he’s shooting 50% from deep.
Lastly, this Niagara team will have to keep everything on the perimeter. I touched on the lack of interior scoring, which is a byproduct of starting just one player taller than 6-foot-5. This isn’t a team built to battle high majors.
Iowa State Basketball
Iowa State checks in at 2-1 with a pair of dominant wins over Southern Miss and Southern after a stunning loss to Memphis on opening night.
The Cyclones' style of bludgeoning, physical full-court defense is built to wear down smaller mid-major teams. They held Southern Miss to 34% shooting on 2s and forced 18 turnovers, and a few days later forced an absurd 30 turnovers and held Southern to 40% shooting on 2s.
This is a classic T.J. Otzelberger team. The Cyclones boast the fifth-most efficient defense in the country, per KenPom. They’re forcing turnovers at a robust 27% clip (6th) and limit teams to just 38% on 2s.
The Cyclones' length should overwhelm Niagara. One of Dom Pleta or Blake Buchanan will be on the court at all times, and I’m not sure how Niagara stops them. Pleta appears to be a strong breakout candidate, averaging 12 points per game on 81% shooting.
The biggest breakout guy on the Cyclones' roster is Tre Singleton, a versatile 6-foot-8 forward who leads the team with 19.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. He fills the mold that Joshua Jefferson filled admirably over the last few seasons.
I’d say I’m encouraged about the Cyclones' performances despite shooting just 25% from downtown, but they have destroyed inferior foes. You can thank their turnovers, 37% offensive rebound rate and strong free-throw rate for their offense remaining afloat.
Niagara vs Iowa State Pick, Betting Analysis
I’ll lay the points with Iowa State up to -39.5.
It’s a steep number, but I don’t see how Niagara keeps it close.
With the turnover issues and lack of length, Iowa State should drop the hammer on the Purple Eagles.
Pick: Iowa State -38.5 (Play to -39.5)
