Iowa State vs. Iowa: Game Preview, Prediction

Matchup: #14 Iowa State Cyclones (6-1) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (8-2)

Game Time, TV: Friday, December 12th – 8:00 PM ET on Big Ten Network

It’s time for the annual December matchup between Iowa State and Iowa. Bragging rights are on the line, as Iowa State looks to secure a win over Iowa, just like it did in football this past September. The 14th-ranked Cyclones should be favored to beat the Hawkeyes, even though the game is taking place in Iowa City.

Both teams will enter this rivalry game after beatdowns of lesser opponents on Tuesday evening. Iowa State took care of business against UMKC, while Iowa overpowered Alcorn State in a 23-point victory. But the games that took place last week are much more telling of how good these two teams really are.

The Hawkeyes were able to notch a huge win at No.12 North Carolina in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, while the Cyclones outplayed No. 18 Arkansas for 40 minutes at Hilton Coliseum. The long and short of these victories is that both teams should be able to hang with most any opponent on any given night this season.

When it comes to the action set to unfold from Carver Hawkeye Arena on Friday night, three-point shooting could be the determining factor. While the Cyclones and Hawkeyes are pretty evenly matched overall, the Cyclones have a clear advantage in the long distance department, with multiple players comfortable shooting it from downtown. Fred Hoiberg‘s team is making threes at a 35 percent clip this season, whereas Fran McCaffery‘s bunch is shooting just 29 percent from behind the arc.

On the flip side, Iowa’s pair of talented seven-footers, Adam Woodbury and Gabe Olaseni, should give them the advantage in the paint.

Prediction: This in-state rivalry game will likely come down to who shoots a higher percentage from the field. Iowa is very streaky shooting the ball, while Iowa State is a little more stable. Add that in with the fact that the Cyclones simply have a more talented roster, and you have the recipe for a big non-conference road win.

Iowa State 77, Iowa 69