Connecticut Huskies vs Iowa State Cyclones Point Spread Picks

If you want to beat this UConn team, you have to be among the best defensive teams in the country. UConn is 28-8 and when they have faced a team that allows better than 40% from the field, they are 27-2. The Huskies play solid on the defensive end, allowing less than 39% from the field. Iowa State got by without their best player in their previous game, but that will catch up with them in this one. The Cyclones have connected on 50.5% of their 3-point FGs in their last five games - way over their head. Prior to their previous five, they connected on just 33.9%, which has made this team look a lot better than they really are. Add in that UConn will be playing at the Garden, which is just 100 or so miles from campus and they will definitely have the crowd on their side for this one. Take the bucket and play on UConn.

This is a reputation line, as the wrong team is favored. UConn will get a lot of action, simply because they went on a ridiculous run last year. But the orchestrator of that run, Kemba Walker, has left the building and the Huskies have struggled with leadership issues all season, playing to a level that is less than their perceived talent. Iowa State has assembled a true team, won 22 games with six players scoring 8 or more points per game, and have great balance. This is a team that beat Baylor and Kansas during the regular season and is far under the radar. The Cyclones are getting the money against winning teams at 20-7 ATS in their last 27, as well as 8-2 ATS in their last 10 vs. teams greater than .600. Play on Iowa State.