Iowa State Vs Utah: Storm warning signals a needed reset for Cyclones
The iowa state vs utah matchup arrives after Iowa State’s loss at BYU, and it matters because the Cyclones open as heavy favorites against a Utah team with just two conference wins. Analytics have Iowa State with roughly a 90% pregame win probability and a -13. 5 spread, making this one of the larger road margins on the conference slate.
Iowa State Vs Utah odds
Oddsmakers and analytics place Iowa State firmly in control for this game: an opening projection of about a 90% chance to win alongside a -13. 5 point spread. That gap is described in coverage as one of the largest to cover on the road within the conference, underscoring the mismatch on paper between the teams as they meet for only the fifth time in program history and the second time in the 21st century.
Storm warning: A needed reset
The Cyclones come off a loss at BYU in which they often looked one step behind. A late 13-0 run by BYU turned a close game into a ten-point defeat. Individual struggles contributed: Momcilovic picked up four fouls, played 25 minutes, and finished with five points on 1-for-5 shooting. Those issues highlighted how Iowa State can get into trouble on an off night, but they also exposed specific areas to correct before this road test.
There were positives to carry forward. Tamin Lipsey produced one of his best performances of the senior season, hitting three of four from three-point range and showing the ability to stretch the defense and attack the rim. Jamarion Batemon posted his second-highest scoring total in conference play, and the team collectively shot above 70% from the free throw line for the first time since a 34-point win over Kansas State—an incremental improvement that can matter in close games down the stretch.
Utah’s season-long struggles continue
Utah arrives at the matchup mired near the bottom of the conference with a 2-12 league record and one of the worst average scoring margins in conference play. Offensive production for the Utes is concentrated among a few players: Terrance Brown leads Utah with about 20. 2 points and 3. 8 assists per game; Don McHenry contributes roughly 17. 4 points per game; Keanu Dawes ranks near the top of conference rebounders with approximately 9. 2 boards per contest. Those numbers underscore how much the team leans on a small group while overall results have lagged.
Key takeaways
- Iowa State enters as a heavy favorite with a roughly 90% projected win chance and a -13. 5 spread.
- Recent loss to BYU highlighted foul trouble and a late opponent run, but also featured strong showings from Lipsey and Batemon.
- Utah sits at 2-12 in conference play and relies on a few primary scorers and rebounders.
What to watch next: if Iowa State can clean up foul trouble and avoid extended scoring droughts, the analytics edge and depth advantage suggest they should manage the road trip leg. For Utah, progress would require more balanced offensive production beyond the top scorers and improved defensive stops to limit opponent runs. With the matchup rare in series history and the spread wide, the game shapes up as a chance for Iowa State to reset after the BYU loss and for Utah to seek signs of a turnaround.
