Check out our free Western Michigan vs Iowa State pick and preview for this NCAA Basketball game in Ames. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this College Basketball matchup.

Western Michigan vs Iowa State Pick & Preview: Sunday, December 18th Betting Odds

Broncos vs Cyclones Matchup at a Glance

  • Sport: NCAAB
  • Teams: Western Michigan Broncos at Iowa State Cyclones
  • Where: Ames at Hilton Coliseum
  • Date: Sunday, December 18th
  • Betting Odds: Western Michigan +22.5, WMICH +2000 | IOWAST -8546 O/U 128.0

Broncos Preview:

Through 10 games, the Western Michigan Broncos have an overall record of 3-7. So far, the Broncos have played 5 games on the road, with a record of 1-4. For the season, Western Michigan has been the underdog in 6 games, sitting with a mark of 0-6. Currently, the oddsmakers have the lines set with the Broncos being +22.5 point underdogs.

Western Michigan will be counting on another strong performance from the team’s leading scorer Lamar Norman Jr. who is averaging 18.56 points per game for the Broncos. Jr. is also important to the team’s ability to score on the perimeter. So far, he leads the team in 3-point shots made. Also key to the Broncos’ offensive gameplan is the play of Titus Wright who has hit 61.8% of his field goal attempts on his way to averaging 7.9 points per game.

Offensive production has been hard to come by for Western Michigan this season, as they are currently ranked 372nd in college basketball at 65.4 points per game. A major reason for low scoring totals is the fact that that have played at a below average pace, and have struggled to knock down outside shots. As a team, the Broncos’ 3-point shooting percentage sits at just 33.2%, placing them 315th in the NCAA.

Cyclones Preview:

Iowa State heads into this matchup having played 10 games and have an overall record sitting at 8-2. So far this season, Iowa State has played 7 games at home, sitting with a record of 7-0. The Cyclones’ are sitting with a betting line that is -22.5 points in their favor. For the season, Iowa State has been favored to win in 6 games, sitting with a mark of 6-0.

Iowa State’s leading scorer this season is Jaren Holmes who is averaging 14.2 points per contest. So far, Holmes has accounted for 20.08% of the team’s scoring. In addition, he is contributing 3.3 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists. Gabe Kalscheur is the second leading scorer for the Cyclones, averaging 9.4 points per game. Between him and Kalscheur, they are accounting for 33.4% of the team’s scoring.

Offensive production has been hard to come by for Iowa State this season, as they are currently ranked 345th in college basketball at 66.5 points per game. A major reason for low scoring totals is the fact that that have played at a below average pace, and have struggled to knock down outside shots. As a team, the Cyclones’ 3-point shooting percentage sits at just 32.1%, placing them 359th in the NCAA.

Free Spread Prediction: Iowa State Cyclones -22.5

When it comes to getting a bet down for this game, our model points to Iowa State coming away with both a straight up and ATS win over Western Michigan as -22.5 point favorites. Iowa State should feel comfortable with the pace of this game, as Western Michigan also prefers to slow the game down. In addition, we like how the Cyclones’ have been peforming well when favored to win, as they have made bettors money of late. In Iowa State’s previous 5 games as the favorite, they are 3-2 vs the spread. We will be riding that trend and cashing in on the Iowa State Cyclones to win and cover vs Western Michigan.