Iowa State vs. Miami Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
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Jeremy Perry
The Iowa State Cyclones and Miami Hurricanes have created a special storyline at the NCAA Tournament: They have ensured that at least one double-digit seed will be in the Elite Eight of this year’s version of March Madness. Iowa State is a No. 11 seed, Miami a No. 10 seed. Cinderella lives at the Big Dance, but will she be the queen of the ball? We won’t know the answer until the regional final, when the winner of this game takes on Providence or Kansas in Chicago.
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Miami Hurricanes NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
The Iowa State Cyclones were an underdog in each of their first two NCAA Tournament games, so they naturally covered the spread twice against LSU and Wisconsin. They are now 7-1 ATS in their last eight as a neutral site underdog. They have also covered four of their last five against teams with a winning record.
Miami was also an underdog in each of its first two games. The Hurricanes covered the spread against Auburn by 25 points, winning by 18 after going off as a 7.5-point underdog to the second-seeded Tigers. They are now 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight overall. However, they have failed to cover five straight as a favorite in the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa State Cyclones (11)
This is the big rags-to-riches story in college basketball this season. Iowa State won a total of just two games last season. Going all the way to the Sweet 16 this season is a remarkable feat. Coach T.J. Otzelberger has done an extraordinary job. He has built a team which plays tremendous defense, so good that it has been able to withstand a lot of scoring droughts and a general lack of consistent shooting.
Iowa State has failed to score 60 points in each of its two NCAA Tournament wins; it has simply managed to hold two opponents under 55 points and has walked away with a couple of five-point victories. That’s the formula for a team which will want to play a low-scoring game.
Miami Hurricanes (10)
The Miami Hurricanes have never made the Elite Eight in school history. They have reached the Sweet 16 three times before this one and came up empty. They hope 2022 will be different. The Hurricanes scored a 79-61 blowout win over a No. 2 seed. Miami was dominant in the backcourt, and that’s where the Canes will hope to thrive in this game on Friday night.
Charlie Moore, who has transferred to several programs in his career (Kansas included), has led the Miami backcourt. He has seven steals, 12 assists, and 12 rebounds in two NCAA Tournament wins, in addition to double-figure scoring and his floor leadership. Iowa State has to find a way to contain Moore if it wants to win this game.
ISU
MIA