Iowa State Cyclones

The Cyclones won their first 16 games of 2025-26 and covered 20 of 33 spreads; only 34 Division I teams covered more often, three as often. Backing them to win over the 26 priced games still lost 1.48 units.

The spread, not the moneyline

Iowa State finished 27-7, a win rate only 20 Division I teams beat, two matched. Against the spread they covered 20 of 33 lined games, 60.6%. On the moneyline the same season lost money: one unit on the Cyclones in each of the 26 priced games finished 1.48 units down. Eight games had no moneyline at all, seven of them home games where the spread ran from 33.5 to 43.5 points.

Where the losses came

They were favorites in 30 games and won 25, but one unit a game over the 23 priced ones lost 1.38. Three of the five losses came at -245 or shorter: 73-82 at home to Texas Tech at -535, their only home defeat; 55-62 at TCU at -340; 70-79 at Cincinnati at -245. The best price they won at was +190, an 81-58 win at Purdue.

Home, road, neutral

Straight up they were 16-1 at home, 5-5 away and 6-1 at neutral sites. Against the spread: 9 covers in 17 at home, 5 in 10 on the road, and all six lined neutral-site games covered.

Conference opponents

Arizona beat Iowa State twice, the second in the Big 12 tournament semifinal, though the Cyclones covered that one as +142 underdogs. Arizona State lost both meetings and Iowa State covered both.

After the season

In the NCAA tournament the Cyclones beat Tennessee State and Kentucky, then lost to Tennessee in the Sweet 16.

The total

Twenty unders and 14 overs. Iowa State allowed 65.15 points a game, a defensive mark only 11 Division I teams bettered, and scored 81.79, a figure 52 teams topped.

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