Upcoming Match-ups

Iowa vs Indiana Picks and Odds

John Perrotto

by John Perrotto in College Basketball

Updated Feb 6, 2021 · 5:34 PM PST

Luka Garza sitting on bench
Iowa center Luka Garza sits on the bench before an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
  • Iowa is a 2.5-point favorite on the road against Indiana on Sunday in Big Ten action
  • The Hawkeyes have lost three of their last four games and the Hoosiers have dropped back-to-back games
  • The odds, line and spread for Iowa-Indiana can be found below with analysis

Reeling Iowa will try to stay in the Big Ten race when it visits Indiana at 12pm ET Saturday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.

Iowa has lost three of its last four games to fall to 13-5 overall and 7-4 in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes are three games behind conference leader Michigan (8-1) in the loss column and have been the losing side against the spread in their last four games.

Indiana (9-8, 4-6) has lost back-to-back games.

Iowa vs Indiana Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Iowa -148 -2.5 (-112) Over 153.5 (-108)
Indiana +126 +2.5 (-108) Under 153.5 (-112)

Odds taken Feb. 6 from FanDuel

Defensive Problems Plague Iowa

Iowa has the best adjusted offensive efficiency in the nation according to KenPom, with 126.0 points per 100 possessions. However, the Hawkeyes are 133rd in adjusted defensive efficiency, allowing 99.8 points per 100 possessions.

It was poor defense that hurt Iowa on Wednesday night as it lost to Ohio State 89-85 at home despite being a 5-point favorite.

The Hawkeyes led 61-50 with 14:29 left but then gave up 38 points the rest of the way and scored only one field goal in the last 4:16.

Meanwhile, Ohio State played strong defense against senior center Luke Garza, holding the leading candidate for national Player of the Year honors to a season-low 16 points. Garza scored just five points in the second half when he made 2-of-8 field goal attempts.

Garza is averaging 25.9 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots a game. He is shooting 59% from the floor, 45% on 3-pointers and 71.7% on free throw attempts.

Sophomore forward Jack Nunge and senior guard Jordan Bohannon each scored 18 points to lead Iowa. Nunge has 30 points in the last two games after averaging 4.7 in his previous nine games. Bohannon had scored a combined 16 points in the previous four games.

Junior forward Joe Wieskamp had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. That came on the heels of a five-point, one-rebound game in a win over Michigan State. Wieskamp is averaging 14.4 points and 6.4 rebounds.

Sophomore guard CJ Fredrick sat out for the second time in three games because of a lower leg injury and is questionable for Sunday. He is averaging 8.7 points a game, shooting 50% from 3-point range and has just four turnovers in 393 minutes.

Indiana Loses Another Close One

Late-game offensive woes doomed Indiana on Wednesday as it lost 75-71 to visiting Illinois in overtime as a three-point underdog.

Indiana scored just two field goals in the last 11.5 minutes of regulation and only one in OT. The Hoosiers, who led by six points with five minutes remaining, are 1-3 both in games decided by five points or less this season.

While Indiana coach Archie Miller criticized his players following the game, Illinois coach Brad Underwood celebrated with his.

Sophomore forward Trayce Jackson-Davis had his sixth double-double of the season with 19 points and 14 rebounds. He has scored 11 points in all 17 game and has averages of 20.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.8 blocks shots while accounting for 31.3 of Indiana’s possessions and drawing 7.6 fouls per 40 minutes.

Junior forward Race Thompson had his best all-around game of the season, stuffing the stat sheet with 18 points, eight rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocked shots. He has scored in double figures in four of his last five games.

Senior guard Aljami Durham added 13 points and sophomore guard Armaan Franklin chipped in 11 points.

Iowa Seeks Revenge

Indiana upset Iowa 81-69 on Jan. 21 as a 10-point road underdog. The Hoosiers outscored the Hawkeyes 37-16 in the last 12 minutes.

Jackson-Davis scored 23 points for Indiana and junior guard Rob Phinisee added 18. Garza has 28 points and 12 rebounds and Wieskamp added 16 points and 12 boards.

YouTube video

While it seems difficult to envision so-so Indiana beating Iowa twice, the Hawkeyes do not inspire confidence after giving up an average of 82.0 points in their last four games.

Pick: Indiana +2.5 (-108)

Author Image