Ole Miss (6) vs. Iowa State (3) Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds

Sports Interaction Staff | Updated Mar 23, 2025

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It’s a clash between one of the tournament’s best defensive teams and a surging SEC squad that suddenly looks dangerous.

Mississippi
21-10
AT
March 23, 2025, 7:45 PM ET
Fiserv Forum
Iowa State
23-8
Matchup Odds
Matchup Odds

Ole Miss didn’t just sneak past North Carolina—they punched the Tar Heels in the mouth early and held off every run late. Now, the Rebels turn their attention to a tougher, grittier opponent in Iowa State, with Sunday’s second-round showdown set for March 23 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

Ole Miss vs. Iowa State NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting

As of Saturday night, Iowa State is listed as a 5.5-point favorite, with the total sitting at 145.5. The Cyclones are -235 on the moneyline, while Ole Miss sits at +190. The spread has held steady since opening, but betting action has trickled in on both sides.

This one could get ugly—and that’s not a bad thing. If Ole Miss gets sped up and starts coughing the ball up, Iowa State will feast in transition. But if the Rebels can weather the early pressure and make Iowa State score in the halfcourt, the door opens. Expect both teams to throw early punches. Iowa State will look to swarm Pedulla on the perimeter, while Ole Miss will test the Cyclones’ ability to guard physical wings like Davis without fouling. Rebounding will be another swing stat—neither team is dominant on the glass, but second-chance points could decide this.

Best Bets:

  • Ole Miss +5.5 – This feels like a four-point game either way.
  • Under 145.5 – Two physical teams, one of them elite defensively, and a tournament tempo. Don’t expect fireworks.

Mississippi Rebels

Chris Beard’s group came into the tournament with questions, but after beating UNC 73–64 in a game they controlled from the jump, the Rebels looked more like a Sweet 16 sleeper than a 6-seed on borrowed time. Senior guard Sean Pedulla has stepped into the spotlight, scoring 20 in the win and taking care of the ball when it mattered most. Dre Davis added 15 points and gave Ole Miss a physical presence on the wing. The Rebels don’t always play clean, but they fight—and they’ve learned how to close.

Iowa State Cyclones

If there’s one team that’s happy to turn a basketball game into a rock fight, it’s Iowa State. The Cyclones beat South Dakota State 74–61 in the first round without ever breaking a sweat. Curtis Jones and Keshon Gilbert lead a backcourt that’s more defensive-minded than flashy, and that’s exactly how coach T.J. Otzelberger likes it. Iowa State forces turnovers in bunches, gets into passing lanes, and rarely gives up clean looks. Their offense isn’t built to run away from teams, but they’re almost always the ones dictating how a game is played.

March Madness Prediction: Who Will Win Ole Miss vs. Iowa State?

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