Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Iowa State Cyclones Picks and Predictions January 24th 2026

Iowa State heads to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at Gallagher-Iba Arena. It’s a Big 12 matchup on PEAC. The Cyclones are ranked #9 and bring a 17-2 record into this one. They’ve been perfect at home at 14-0 and solid on the road at 3-2. Oklahoma State is 14-5 and has been excellent at Gallagher-Iba at 12-1, which is why this game is interesting even with Iowa State laying a big number.

The market has Iowa State -9.5 with a total of 161.5. That spread is basically saying Iowa State’s efficiency and defense travel well enough to win by double digits, even in one of the tougher home environments in the league. If Oklahoma State is going to hang around, it probably needs to score early and keep Iowa State from getting comfortable from three.

Iowa State Cyclones vs Oklahoma State Cowboys Odds

These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated numbers and shop for the best number on the latest college basketball odds.

Team	Moneyline	Spread	Total
Iowa State Cyclones	-534	-9.5 (-114)	O 161.5
Oklahoma State Cowboys	+380	+9.5 (-112)	U 161.5

Iowa State Cyclones Betting Form

Iowa State just crushed UCF 87-57, and it wasn’t a weird game where everything had to go right. Joshua Jefferson posted 17 and 10, Milan Momcilovic dropped 20, and the Cyclones looked like a team that can win in multiple ways. When Iowa State is rolling, it’s because the offense is efficient enough that the defense can stay aggressive without worrying about empty possessions.

The shooting numbers are the key. Iowa State is at 50.6% from the field and 40.1% from three. That’s elite efficiency, and it’s the main reason the Cyclones can cover numbers like this. If they’re shooting anywhere near that baseline, it forces opponents into a math problem. You either match threes or you live at the line, because trading twos for threes is how you get buried in the second half.

From a betting angle, Iowa State’s profile is what you want in a road favorite. They don’t need a fast pace to score. They can still put up 80-plus because the shots are clean and the conversion rate is high. If you want to keep track of recent results and how Iowa State has been trending, the Iowa State stats and results hub is a quick reference.

Oklahoma State Cowboys Betting Form

Oklahoma State is coming off a 68-65 loss to TCU, and that kind of game actually matters here. It shows they can compete in a half-court Big 12 game that stays tight and physical. Anthony Roy and Kanye Clary didn’t explode, but the Cowboys stayed in it, and that’s the template for covering +9.5 against a team like Iowa State.

The home record is the obvious selling point. Oklahoma State is 12-1 at Gallagher-Iba and averages 86.9 points per game, which is big-time production. They can score, and they’re not afraid of pace. The other angle I care about is how they respond as an underdog. They’ve covered 57.1% of the time in that role, which fits the idea that they can hang around even when the matchup is tough.

If Oklahoma State is going to threaten the number, it needs two things. First, it has to make Iowa State defend without fouling, because if Iowa State is getting stops and running, the game can get away quickly. Second, it has to finish possessions. Against an efficient team, empty trips are deadly.

Iowa State Cyclones vs Oklahoma State Cowboys Matchup Breakdown

This game comes down to shot profile and who controls the quality of looks. Iowa State’s advantage is obvious: elite shooting efficiency, especially from three. Oklahoma State’s advantage is also obvious: home court and the ability to score enough to keep the game from turning into a slow bleed.

The tempo piece is important because it influences the spread and the total. If Oklahoma State can speed this up and create a more volatile game, +9.5 gets more attractive because the favorite has fewer chances to grind out separation. If Iowa State can control the pace and turn this into a half-court efficiency contest, it’s hard for Oklahoma State to keep up unless it’s shooting well from deep.

The total at 161.5 is high, but it makes sense if you expect Oklahoma State to score in the high 70s or low 80s at home. The Under case is Iowa State controlling pace and forcing Oklahoma State into tougher looks, which can create a few droughts. The Over case is a competitive game where both teams are scoring, plus you get late free throws if it stays within two possessions. The sports betting strategy guide is a useful way to frame it: game state matters. Close games inflate totals late. Blowouts often kill them.

Open

Jan 24, 2026 23:59 EST

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Score

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-9.50 -106

Spread

+9.50 -106

o+155.00-108

Total

u+155.00-108

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Moneyline

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2 Picks Available

Open

Jan 24, 2026 22:00 EST

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Score

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+2.50 -110

Spread

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o+150.50-115

Total

u+150.50-105

+128

Moneyline

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2 Picks Available

Open

Jan 24, 2026 22:00 EST

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Score

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-1.50 -106

Spread

+1.50 -106

o+142.00-108

Total

u+142.00-108

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Moneyline

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4 Picks Available

Iowa State Cyclones vs Oklahoma State Cowboys Predictions and Best Bets

My lean is Oklahoma State +9.5. The number is big for a team that’s 12-1 at home and capable of scoring with anyone in the league. Iowa State is clearly the better team on paper, but laying 9.5 in Gallagher-Iba is asking a lot, especially if Oklahoma State gets anything from the crowd early and turns this into a back-and-forth game.

On the total, I lean Under 161.5. This is the tougher call because both offenses can score, but Iowa State’s slower pace note matters, and if Iowa State dictates tempo, Oklahoma State might need to be very efficient to push this into the 160s. I’d rather bet on a couple of cold stretches than assume both teams score cleanly for 40 minutes.

Best Bet: Oklahoma State Cowboys +9.5 (-112).

NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats

Big 12 games are where price sensitivity matters most. One point on a spread or a half point on a total can be the difference between a good bet and a bad one, especially when the matchup is tight but the brand-name favorite draws public money.

ScoresAndStats helps you compare options across the slate with today’s college basketball picks. And if you’re tracking multiple games and want a clean hub for schedules, records, and team context while you shop numbers, the NCAAB teams page keeps everything organized.