South Dakota State (15) vs. Iowa State (2) Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
The Cyclones are massive 16.5-point favourites to win on the college basketball odds, while the total is set at 135.5 for this East Region game.
South Dakota State vs. Iowa State NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
The winner of this game is headed to the second round where they will face either No. 7 Washington State or No. 10 Drake.
South Dakota State has made six NCAA Tournament appearances since 2012, although they have an 0-6 record in those games. Their last appearance was as a 14-seed in 2022 when they lost 66-57 against No. 4 Providence. If you’re looking for a Hail Mary play, the Jackrabbits are tied for the longest odds to win the tournament at an enormous +200,000. They are also +40,000 to reach the Final Four, +20,000 to reach the Elite Eight and +3000 to reach the Sweet 16.
This is the 23rd NCAA Tournament appearance for Iowa State, who come in with a 21-22 all-time record. They’ve reached the Sweet 16 six times, including in 2022, and their best result is the Final Four in 1944. As a 6-seed, they were upset in the first round last year against No. 11 Pittsburgh. The Cyclones have the eighth-shortest odds to win the tournament at +1800, while they are +425 to reach the Final Four, +120 to reach the Elite Eight and -300 to reach the Sweet 16.
One thing to keep in mind is that Iowa State was actually upset by No. 15 Hampton the last time they were a No. 2 seed in 2001. The 2-seeds then went undefeated from 2002-2011, but six 15-seeds have won games since 2012. A 15-seed has upset a 2-seed in three straight tournaments, including Princeton, who reached the Sweet 16 last year.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits (15)
South Dakota State finished with a conference-best 12-4 record in the Summit League this year, going 22-12 overall. They defeated Denver on March 12 to win their seventh Summit League Tournament title. The Jackrabbits have been an elite shooting team all year, ranking 23rd in the nation in field goal percentage (48.3 per cent) and they are just outside the top-50 in three-point shooting (36.3 per cent). Zeke Mayo and William Kyle III have been a strong duo. Mayo averages a team-high 18.8 ppg, while Kyle is averaging 13.1 ppg and was one of the best shot blockers in the Summit League this year.
Iowa State Cyclones (2)
Iowa State finished second in the stacked Big 12 conference with a 13-5 record, while posting a 27-7 record overall. They dominated Houston 69-41 on March 16 to win their sixth Big 12 Tournament title. The Cyclones are one of the best defensive teams in the nation, ranking fourth in opponent points allowed (61.3 ppg). Shooting can be an issue as they rank outside the top-100 in efficiency (75.6 ppg) and their 34.9 per cent shooting from beyond the arc was 10th in the Big 12. Keshon Gilbert (13.8 ppg), Tamin Lipsey (12.3 ppg), Milan Momcilovic (11.0 ppg) and Curtis Jones (10.5 ppg) are the team’s top scorers.
