Iowa State Cyclones (16-11) vs West Virginia Mountaineers (16-13)
Game Info: Monday, February 27, 2023 at 9:00 pm (James H. Hilton Coliseum)
Betting Odds: Iowa State Cyclones -2.5 -- Over/Under: 135.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The West Virginia Mountaineers will travel to Ames to face the Iowa State Cyclones in Big 12 play from the Hilton Coliseum on ESPN2. West Virginia leads the all-time series, 13-9, after winning seven of the last eight meetings.
West Virginia dropped to 16-13 after losing to Kansas in Lawrence. The Mountaineers stuck with the number three-ranked Jayhawks for the entire contest, but they’d end up falling by just two points, 76-74. WVU is scoring 76.5 points per game, while allowing 70.8 ppg, while shooting 45.4% from the floor.
West Virginia has dropped four of their last five games, and they will likely miss the Big Dance again this season. The Mountaineers are 5-11 in Big 12 play, with a 2-8 road record. Senior guard Erik Stevenson has attempted to go out strong, and scored 23 points or more in each of the last three contests, he leads WVU in scoring at 14.9 ppg. Senior forward Tre Mitchell has also dropped 20 points in back-to-back games, and he’s up to 11.8 ppg and a team-leading 5.4 rpg. Veteran guard Kerrigan Johnson scored 22 points in the first win over ISU, and he’s averaging 10.7 ppg.
Iowa State fell to 17-11 following a home loss to Oklahoma. The Cyclones got blitzed early by the Longhorns, and they’d end up falling by 18 points, 72-54. Iowa State is scoring 68.3 points per game, while allowing 62.0 ppg and shooting 44.7% from the floor.
Iowa State’s month of February has put them in a compromising position, and they must win this game if they want to stay alive to go dancing. The Cyclones are 8-8 in Big 12 play, with a 13-2 home record. Former SBU guard Jaren Holmes scored a team-high 18 points in the first meeting with WVU, and he leads ISU in scoring (13.0) Fellow senior guard Gabe Kalscheur has cooled off since a hot start to conference play, but he’s still second on the team at 12.3 ppg. Veteran guard Caleb Grill returned from a two-game absence against OU, and he’ll look to respond Monday night.
West Virginia is 13-15 against the spread this season, with a 19-9 over/under record. Iowa State is 14-12 ATS this year, with a 9-17 o/u record. WVU ISU
Iowa State has really backed themselves into a corner with their late-season play, and if they don’t count out strong here in their home finale, they might just end up on the wrong side of the bubble. West Virginia’s effort down the stretch has been admirable, and while it may be a little too late, they’re going to make ISU work if they want to keep their season alive. Despite the deflating performance in Ames last time out, the Cyclones have been sharp at home, and with their backs against the wall, I think they find a way to win this game. Take Iowa State’s spread for this Big 12 matchup.
Corey’s Pick Iowa State -3.5
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
