LSU vs Iowa State Predictions and Betting Preview
Sportsmemo content contributor Kyle Kargel gives his LSU vs Iowa State predictions and betting preview for the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 18. At the time of posting, the Tigers are favored by 4 points against the Cyclones with the total sitting at 128.5 points.
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Friday, March 18 | NCAA Tournament Betting Notes |
---|---|
Point Spread: | LSU Tigers -4 vs Iowa State Cyclones |
Total: | 128.5 Points |
Game Time: | Approx. 7:20pm ET / 4:20pm PT |
Arena: | Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI |
TV: | TBS |
LSU vs Iowa State Predictions Analysis
The Cyclones are hobbling into the NCAA Tournament as arguably the coldest team of any participating. After starting off the year 12-0 they’ve lost eight of 12 games including going 7-11 in conference play.
They’ve lost their last three games including a bad 53-36 loss at home to Oklahoma State. LSU has suffered two losses in their last four games to Arkansas who has proven to be a NCAA Tournament team.
The Tigers also started out their season 12-0 and were slightly better than the Cyclones after that going 10-11.
Iowa State Cold in Conference Play
It really has been a tale of two seasons for Iowa State. In conference play Iowa State ranked second to last in adjusted offensive efficiency.
Thankfully this isn’t a Big 12 game and their non-conference play helped average out their adjusted offensive efficiency to 151 nationally.
They have trouble taking care of the ball, ranking 300th in percentage of possessions resulting in a turnover, 253rd in three point field goal percentage and 289th in free throw percentage.
The turnovers will be a huge hit for Iowa State because that plays right into LSU’s game plan (we’ll get to that). The Cyclones make up for their questionable offense with their defense in which they rank 10th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency.
They do generate tons of turnovers themselves ranking 6th in turnovers forced on defense and 17th in defending the three pointer. Senior guard Izaiah Brockington will definitely be giving it his all in this one averaging over 17 points, 7 rebounds and a steal per game while averaging 46% from the field.
His backcourt mate Tyrese Hunter leads the team in assists with 4.9 per game but he also leads the team in turnovers with over three per game. LSU will look to target him with the ball to force those bad turnovers.
Tigers Look to Prove Doubters Wrong
The Tigers making the tournament has been overshadowed by former Head Coach Will Wade being fired recently after accusations of five Level I NCAA violations.
Interim Head Coach Kevin Nickelberry will look to execute the same game plan the Tigers have been riding with all season which includes tenacious defense.
They’re 4th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, 2nd at generating turnovers, 5th in defending the three and 1st in steal percentage. The Tigers aren’t that great at protecting the ball themselves ranking 304th in coughing it up on offense.
They play much faster than Iowa State ranking 93rd in adjusted tempo where the Cyclones rank 232nd. Iowa State gains a majority of their points inside which could be a problem for them to obtain in this one as LSU only allows opponents to score 44.3% of total points inside which is 9th least nationally.
Five players on LSU average over a steal a game including star sophomore Tari Eason who puts up almost 17 points per game, over 6 rebounds per game and 2 steals per game.
LSU vs Iowa State Prediction
We could potentially see 40+ turnovers in this game as each team has trouble taking care of the ball but is ferocious on defense.
I feel LSU thinks they’re playing with a chip on their shoulder and is out with something to prove with the firing of their head coach becoming a dark cloud over them. With LSU favored by four I think they cover here, potentially winning by double digits.
Prediction: LSU Tigers -4
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LSU vs Iowa State GoldSheet Preview
College Basketball Stat Sheet
GoldSheet prepares a daily college basketball stat sheet, which offers a head-to-head comparison for how teams are performing in a number of key areas heading into a game. Check out Friday’s sheet, with notes on the LSU vs Iowa State contest.
NCAAB Odds Screen
Sportsmemo’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the college basketball point spreads, moneylines, first half lines and betting percentages for all of the NCAA Tournament games, including this LSU vs Iowa State showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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