Oklahoma State vs Iowa State Picks and Odds

• Oklahoma State (9-4, 3-4 Big 12) battles Iowa State (2-7, 0-5 Big 12) on Monday, Jan. 25 at 9pm EST
• All of the Cowboys’s losses have come in Big 12 play, but they have some impressive wins, too
• The odds for the game, as well as matchup analysis and a pick, can be found in the article below

The Oklahoma State Cowboys were off to an excellent start this season, and then Big 12 play began. The Cowboys started 6-0, but have dropped four of seven since the conference schedule got underway. They’ll look to get back on track on Monday, Jan. 25 at 9 pm EST against the lowly Iowa State Cyclones.

Iowa State hasn’t found a win yet against its fellow Big 12 foes — or against any team worth its salt, frankly — and is the rightful underdog in this one:

Oklahoma State vs Iowa State Odds

Odds taken Jan. 24th at FanDuel.

How They’ve Fared Recently

Despite their fairly sluggish output in Big 12 play, there’s a lot to like about Oklahoma State’s results of late. Their first three conference losses came by a total of seven points — including three-point losses to both #14 West Virginia and #5 Texas.

The Cowboys also have wins against #12 Texas Tech and #9 Kansas. They dropped their most recent game in sizeable fashion, 81-66 — but some grace should be extended, since that came against unbeaten Baylor.

Setting a new career-high in points with authority 🤯 @kalib_boone #NewEra | #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/djwobhJDfS

— OSU Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) January 23, 2021

Oklahoma State’s identity revolves around No. 1 recruit Cade Cunningham, a freshman averaging 18 points per game. Both he and Rondel Walker (third on the team with 9.1 points per game) missed Saturday’s contest against Baylor. Cunningham’s absence was due to COVID-19 tracing, while Walker’s was injury related. Both are important to follow.

So it's not safe for Cade Cunningham to play today because of COVID-19 protocol but it is safe enough to let him sit in the bench area? Yeah, that makes sense…

— Riley Gates (@Riley_Gates) January 23, 2021

Iowa State hasn’t done anything impressive. That is not hyperbolic.

The Cyclones’ two wins have come against teams outside KenPom’s top 300 rankings: Arkansas Pine Bluff (352nd) and Jackson State (310th). Aside from that, they’ve lost to everyone else. To be fair, five of their seven losses are against teams inside KenPom’s to 20, but all that tells us is the Cyclones are definitely not an elite team.

Their best game was probably a six-point road loss against Texas. But even then, Iowa State did not lead at any point in the final 30 minutes of the game.

ATS Analysis

Oklahoma State is 6-6-1 against the spread, with four wins in its past six games. The Cowboys are also 3-0-1 ATS in recent road matchups, and have seen the over hit in six of their past seven.

Iowa State is 3-6 ATS, but they’ve collected all three wins within their past five games. The Cyclones are just 1-5 ATS at home this season, and the over has hit in back-to-back games.

Highlights from today's game against Baylor, presented by @cyslockerroom. pic.twitter.com/ZL64w0Rq1Z

— Iowa State Men’s Basketball (@CycloneMBB) January 2, 2021

Head-to-Head Matchup

These teams had the curious fortune of meeting three times last season (once on the first day of the conference tournament, which is also the day sports were shutdown across North America for the COVID-19 pandemic). Oklahoma State won two of three straight up, while Iowa State took two of three ATS.

This year’s X-factor was still in high school back then, though. Cunningham brings something to Oklahoma State’s offense that Iowa State hasn’t previously seen. It’s still uncertain whether he’ll clear COVID protocol for Monday, but the fact he was able to sit on the bench for Saturday’s game is a sign that he’ll be ready to go.

Cade Cunningham Oklahoma State highlights 🎥 @CadeCunningham_

Projected #1 pick in the 2021 draft! pic.twitter.com/7vRfdVUdRK

— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) January 19, 2021

If you figure Cunningham will be back in action — as we do — Oklahoma State should be your ATS pick.

Pick: Oklahoma State -2.5 (-108)