| MATCHUP | Iowa State Cyclones | Cincinnati Bearcats |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 16-1 | 9-8 |
| Spread | -6.5 -110 | +6.5 -110 |
| Moneyline | -298 | +240 |
| Total | Over 139.5 (-110) | Under 139.5 (-110) |
| Where | Fifth Third Arena, Cincinnati, OH | |
| When | Saturday, January 17, 2026 | |
| Time | 02:00 PM EST | |
| TV | Peacock | |
Cincinnati Bearcats Preview
Cincinnati Bearcats have a 9-8 record this season and are tied in the 14th place of the Big 12 Conference. They have a 9-2 home record and are coming off a 77-68 home win against Colorado. Their previous three games were a 73-72 away loss against UCF, a 62-60 away loss against West Virginia and a 67-60 home loss against Houston.
Offensively, Cincinnati averages 73.8 points per game, while allowing 65.9 points per game defensively. The Bearcats shoot with 43% from the field and grab 37.9 rebounds per game, while dishing out 17.4 assists per game. They average 4.9 blocks per game and 6.9 steals per game defensively.
Baba Miller leads Cincinnati in scoring, with an average of 13.5 points per game, while shooting with 57.2% from the field and 58.1% from the free throw line, and is the team’s leading rebounder with 10.7 per game. Day Day Thomas leads the team in assists with 3.9 per game.
Iowa State Cyclones Preview
Iowa State Cyclones have a 16-1 record this season and are in the 4th place of the Big 12 Conference. They have a 2-1 road record and are coming off an 84-63 away loss against Kansas. Their previous three games were an 83-71 home win against Oklahoma State, a 70-60 away win against Baylor and an 80-59 home win against West Virginia.
Offensively, Iowa State averages 86.5 points per game, while allowing 64.2 points per game defensively. The Cyclones shoot with 51% from the field and grab 37 rebounds per game, while dishing out 18.3 assists per game. They average 3.5 blocks per game and 9.6 steals per game defensively.
Joshua Jefferson leads Iowa State in scoring, with an average of 17.4 points per game, while shooting with 49.8% from the field and 73.3% from the free throw line, and is the team’s leading rebounder with 7.8 per game. Tamin Lipsey leads the team in assists with 5.4 per game.
Iowa State Cyclones @ Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Trends: January 17, 2026
Why the Cincinnati Bearcats will win
- Cincinnati has won each of its last 19 games at Fifth Third Arena when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- Iowa State has lost 16 of its last 19 January road games as a top-15 AP-ranked team.
- Cincinnati has won the first half in each of its last six games against Conference opponents at Fifth Third Arena.
Why the Iowa State Cyclones will win
- Cincinnati has lost each of its last 21 games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.
- Iowa State has won each of its last 10 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Iowa State has won the first half in each of its last eight day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of Cincinnati’s last 10 games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 137 or fewer points.
- Five of Iowa State’s last six games have produced a total of 139+ points.
Iowa State vs Cincinnati Prediction
In this Iowa State vs Cincinnati Prediction, Iowa State is coming as -6.5 road favorites. Iowa State has been the far better team this season as they have just one defeat in their 17 games played, but Cincinnati has been very strong at home. Cincinnati is 1-3 in its last 4 games, while Iowa State is 2-6 against the spread in its last 8, so I see no value on either side. Both teams have been playing some lower-scoring games lately, going for 11-1 to the under in their last 12 games combined, as both defenses have been elite this season. Take the under 138.5 points in this one.