Iowa vs Nebraska Prediction 3/9/25 College Basketball Picks

The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Nebraska Cornhuskers meet Sunday in college basketball action from the Pinnacle Bank Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Iowa vs. Nebraska prediction.

Matchup History

The Iowa Hawkeyes won the first meeting between these two teams back on January 7th, 2025, at home by a final score of 97-87 in OT. The win made it 6 wins in the last 8 head-to-head meetings between these two teams.

Iowa Recap

The Iowa Hawkeyes come into this game looking to rebound from a 91-84 loss at the hands of Michigan State in their last game to slip to 15-15 on the year.

Hawkeyes Drop 8 Of Their Last 10

Owen Freeman leads the Hawkeyes in scoring with 16.7 PPG while Payton Sandfort has 16.1 PPG, with Sandfort logging 6.2 RPG and 2.9 APG and Freeman chipping in 6.7 RPG in 19 games played so far this season. Josh Dix has 14.1 PPG with 3.2 RPG and 2.8 APG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Iowa up to this point in the year. Brock Harding also has 8.7 PPG with a team-high 5.5 APG to lead the Hawkeyes in assists while Pryce Sandfort has 8.5 PPG and Drew Thelwell has 9.7 PPG with 2.8 APG. As a team, Iowa is averaging 82.3 PPG on 48.6% shooting from the field, 37.6% from three, and 70.9% from the foul line this season.

Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win

• Iowa has won nine of its last 10 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Nebraska has lost each of its last four games.

Nebraska Recap

The Nebraska Cornhuskers come into this game looking to bounce back from a 116-114 double-OT loss to Ohio State in their last game to fall to 17-13 on the year.

Cornhuskers Drop 4th In A Row

Brice Williams leads the Cornhuskers in scoring and assists with 20.4 PPG along with 4.1 RPG and 2.8 APG while Connor Essegian has 10.7 PPG and Juwan Gary has 13.7 PPG with 4.7 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Nebraska so far this season. Rollie Worster has 7.2 PPG with 4 RPG and 2.6 APG while Berke Buyuktuncel has 6.5 PPG with a team-high 5.7 RPG to lead Nebraska in rebounding and Andrew Morgan also has 8.3 PPG with 4.3 RPG as well on the year. As a team, Nebraska is averaging 75.6 PPG on 45.6% shooting from the field, 32.9% from three, and 74.7% from the foul line this season.

Why the Nebraska Cornhuskers will win

• Nebraska has won 10 of its last 11 day games at Pinnacle Bank Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Iowa has lost nine of its last 10 road games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Nebraska’s last 14 day games against Conference opponents at Pinnacle Bank Arena have produced a total of 150 or fewer points.
• Each of Iowa’s last nine day games against non-AP-ranked opponents has produced a total of 161+ points.

Iowa vs. Nebraska Prediction

I’m on Iowa and the points here. Right now, as it stands, the Hawkeyes are on the outside looking in when it comes to the Big Ten tournament, as the bottom 3 teams don’t qualify for the tournament. I think that creates a sense of urgency for Iowa who has still been able to win games here and there and I also am not sure that Nebraska should be favored by this kind of number against anyone. Last time we saw Iowa lay this number, they lost outright to Minnesota at home and I think Iowa could be live here as well. Give me Iowa and the points.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Iowa +7.5