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Iowa State vs. Kentucky NCAA Basketball Preview & Free Pick

#8 Cyclones (20-11) vs #1 Wildcats (24-9)

The top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament will be on display Saturday night in Louisville. Kentucky will have a virtual home game against the upstart Iowa State Cyclones.  

NCAA Tournament Matchup: #8 Iowa St. vs. #1 Kentucky
South Region
Location: Louisville, KY
Time/TV: 7:45PM EST on CBS
College Basketball Gambling Odds from Bovada
NCAA Basketball Betting Favorite: Kentucky -11
Over/Under: 140

Matchup | Preview

Iowa State blew out UConn in the Round of 64.

Can Fred Hoiberg’s team hang around with the Wildcats or will it be another Kentucky blowout?

Iowa State is led by point-forward Royce White. White is one of the best players in the nation, and he is one of the most difficult to matchup against. White is 6’8 and 265 pounds, but he handles the ball often and plays a virtual point guard position for Iowa State.

White leads the team in points, assists, field goal percentage, steals, and blocked shots. He is the ultimate terrific all-around player.

Chris Allen poured in 20 points in the team’s win over UConn Thursday night. He is capable of getting hot at any time, and Kentucky will need to keep an eye on him. Scott Christopherson shoots 46% from beyond the arc, and he averages 12.6 points per game. Iowa State averages 73.3 points per game.

The Kentucky Wildcats have been the number one team in the nation almost all season.

This team is absolutely loaded with talent. John Calipari has had some terrific teams, but this one probably has the most talent of any of them. Anthony Davis is the heavy favorite to win Player of the Year. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Davis is an absolute beast on the defensive end, and he is very good on the offensive end as well. Davis leads the nation in blocked shots with 166.

Terrence Jones and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are two post players with versatility that makes them tough to defend. Doron Lamb sometimes gets overlooked because of all the talent on this team, but Lamb knocks down 46% from beyond the arc.

The defensive end is where Kentucky is dominant. Opponents shoot a miserable 36.9% from the floor against the Wildcats.

Iowa State is a better team than most realize, but I’m not sure they are disciplined enough to stay with Kentucky all game long.

Can the Cyclones keep the Wildcats out of the paint? I expect Kentucky to pull away in the second half.

Free College Basketball Pick: Kentucky -11
Prediction: Kentucky 79 Iowa State 64

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By Kyle Hunter

Kyle Hunter sports picks – A degree in finance and a great ability to follow important trends and statistics set him apart from the rest. Totals are Kyle's specialty, so look for a lot of totals picks from NBA, NCAAF, & the NFL. Check out his plays today.