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Edgar Chaput
Pittsburgh vs. Iowa State Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
It was close, it was tense, and it could have easily gone the other way, but the Panthers (23-11) have made it to the big dance, not Mississippi. Waiting in the wings has been the Iowa State Cyclones (19-13) who survived the Big 12.
The Cyclones are deemed -4 favourites on the NCAA odds.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Iowa State Cyclones NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
With so many schools and so many conferences, it’s no surprise that several early-round NCAA tournament matchups have little or no history behind them. Such is the case with this game, making it yet another original card.
The Panthers are back in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2016. In fact, since the early 00s, the program has been a semi-regular presence in March Madness. Their best effort in recent years was in 2009 when the school was one of the Elite Eight, and from 2002 to 2009, it made it to the Sweet Sixteen no fewer than five times. As for the best year overall, well, it was a Final Four in 1941, for what it’s worth.
Iowa State is, admittedly, stumbling into the 2023 edition of the NCAA tournament. They were defeated in the Big 12 semifinals by Kansas, which was preceded by an end-of-season stretch of two wins in eight contests, not counting their first-round playoff win to reach the semis. Those performances haven’t reassured betters either, as Iowa is only 4-6 ATS in its previous 10 tries.
Pittsburgh Panthers
It was one of those moments in March Madness that was either going to spell glory or disaster for the Panthers. When Mississippi’s Shakeel Moore was wide open for a three-point shot with two seconds left and the Panthers leading 60-59, Pittsburgh hearts skipped a beat. The ball clanked off the rim, and Moore’s teammate D.J. Jeffries couldn’t put the rebound in either.
It was a perfect way to conclude what had been an all-around entertaining game. Neither school was predicted to last that long in the big tournament, but each side played as if just partaking in March Madness meant the world. The Panthers got solid production out of Blake Hinson (12 points), Greg Elliott (13 points), and Nelly Cummings (15 points). What gave Pittsburgh the edge was the three-point shot. They went a terrific 9-for-19 whereas the Bulldogs could only manage 6-for-23. Jamarius Burton made a hero jumper with only 14 seconds remaining while pestered with tight coverage, highlighting a contest graced with plenty of memorable moments. Pittsburgh moves on.
Iowa State Cyclones
Going up against the last year’s champions was going to be a stern test of character for the Cyclones. In fairness, they equipped themselves rather well for a little over half the semifinals game.
The 33-25 halftime deficit was not insurmountable if one didn’t pay attention to the fact that the Jayhawks are one of the best teams in the country. Mississippi didn’t even shoot badly, either overall (40.0 per cent), or from long range (41.7 per cent), but one statistic really stands out. Two, really. It was a somewhat messy affair, with many turnovers. The Jayhawks themselves committed 17, but Iowa was even worse with 22. That difference helped their opponents race down the court for some critical baskets in a game that was never a blowout per se. Even so, minute by minute, it looked as though Iowa was letting the opportunity slip through their fingers. Jaren Holmes led the way with 16 points, but the Cyclones fall 71-58.
