Iowa State Cyclones vs Virginia Cavaliers Point Spread Picks

Tourney time is about defense and only one team plays it in this matchup. Iowa State likes to run and bomb away from long range, but the defense is poor, last in the Big 12 in points allowed, eighth in field goal shooting defense. It's also not a deep team, so the physical and relentless Virginia Cavaliers will wear them down. Iowa State has had two easy games in this tournament, so this is the first good team they have faced since the Big 12 tourney (where they failed to win a game). Last year in March Madness, the Cyclones were one-and-done when a defensive UAB team upset them in the first game, 60-59, as Iowa State shot just 37%. They face a super-talented top-seeded Virginia team in this one. The Cavaliers own the second-ranked scoring defense (59.5 points per game) in the country. Virginia has won 15 of the last 18 games with this rock-solid defense, losing the last two to Michigan State by four points and at Miami by three. The wagering value is for the superior defensive team to win the game. Take Virginia on the moneyline.