Iowa State vs. Texas A&M: College Basketball Game Preview, Prediction, TV Schedule

By Taylor Sturm

TV Schedule: Saturday, Jan. 30, 2:00 p.m. ET, ESPN

Arena: Reed Arena, College Station, TX

Line: Texas A&M (-4.5)

Although the matchup will take a backseat to the showdown between the Kentucky Wildcats and Kansas Jayhawks later in the day, the Big 12/SEC Challenge game between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Texas A&M Aggies might be the best game of the day.

After losing three of their first four games of Big 12 play, the No. 14 ranked Cyclones have reeled off four straight wins to edge their way back into position just one game behind the top spot in the Big 12 standings. That being said, three teams are tied for first place in the conference and two other teams are tied with Iowa State for the second place spot, meaning that any slip-up could be the difference between a Big 12 regular season title and a No. 4 or No. 5 seed in the Big 12 tournament.

Texas A&M, on the other hand, have stormed into the top five, but will be horribly disappointed to have just lost on the road to the Arkansas Razorbacks. The loss puts Kentucky, the LSU Tigers and South Carolina Gamecocks (1.5) just one game behind the Aggies for the top spot in the SEC. A win over Iowa State could move the Aggies into the top four, but a loss would not be the end of the world for Texas A&M.

KenPom’s rankings have Iowa State with the No. 6 overall offensive efficiency and Texas A&M with the No. 5 overall defensive efficiency. These are two ultra-talented teams with a legitimate shot at winning the national championship.

That being said, this game is at home for Texas A&M, and I believe that’s what gives them the advantage over Iowa State on Saturday afternoon.

Prediction: Texas A&M 68, Iowa State 66

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