Iowa State Cyclones AT Texas Longhorns
Feb 22, 2011 at 8 PM EST
Opening Line: Texas -17.5
Current Line: Texas -17.5
Opening Total: Undefined.
Moneyline: Undefined.
Tonight’s game brings together Big 12 rivals Iowa State and Texas. Iowa State (14-13) is, despite a strong overall record), 1-11 in Big 12 play for dead last (12th) in the Conference. Texas is ranked 5th overall in the country with a 23-4 record and an 11-1 in Conference record, which obviously ranks them at the top of the Big 12. Texas is in the top 60 in three major statistical categories. They rank 39th in the country in scoring with 75.4 a game, 7th in the nation in rebounding with 40.7 a game, and 60th in field goal percentage, shooting 46.2%.
They have been so good that they started taking things for granted, something Texas’ leading scorer Jordan Hamilton commented upon after the loss to Nebraska. “I think we could have played harder. I don’t think we ever got relaxed, but I definitely thing we could have played a lot harder.”
Some betting trends:
Iowa State is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on the road and 0-5 SU in their last 5 games on the road. Iowa State is 1-7 SU In their last 8 road games against the Longhorns.
Texas is 11-1 SU in their last 12 games and the total has gone UNDER in 8 of Texas’ last 9 games. Texas is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home and the total has gone UNDER in 5 of their last 6 home games. Texas is 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against Iowa State and Texas is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games against Iowa State. The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas’ last 5 games against Iowa State. Texas is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games against Iowa State. Texas is 7-1 SU in their last 8 games at home against Iowa State.
Iowa State has a strong starting five that is relied upon rather heavily. All five starters log at least 28 minutes and Diante Garrett, Iowa State’s leading scorer, plays 36 minutes a night. All five starters also average in double figures in points. Garrett, a 6’4″ senior point guard, averages 17.3 points per game and 6.1 assists per game, and he has made the jump from an average to an elite player in one season. Last year, as a junior, he only averaged 9.2 points per game and 5.1 assists per game, in nearly as many minutes. What a difference a year makes. 6’2″ senior shooting guard Darion ‘Jake’ Anderson leads the team in rebounding, despite being a guard. He grabs 7.5 rebounds per game and he has already had 5 games with 10 or more rebounds. He’s consistently good and is a key to Iowa State’s offense and defense (he averages 1.1 steals per game as well).
Texas is led by 6’7″ sophomore swingman Jordan Hamilton. Hamilton is averaging 18.7 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game, while shooting nearly 40% from three (71 of 178). He’s had 6 double doubles thus far, all in points – rebounds, and Texas has won 5 of those 6 games. In the loss last game to Nebraska, Hamilton struggled, going 3 of 16 from the floor (but hitting 9 of 11 free throws) en route to 18 very difficult points. The 11 free throws he attempted represented his season high in that category and enabled him to help keep Texas afloat on a night when not much was going right offensively. Texas has three other key rotation players in Tristian Thompson, Gary Johnson, and Cory Joseph — the three players other than Hamilton that average 30+ minutes per game. The trio combine for 35.4 points per game (47% of Texas’ output).
Both teams rely heavily on their starting fives and don’t have a lot of depth. The difference is that Texas’ elite players, specifically Hamilton, are much better than Iowa State’s starting 5. Iowa State isn’t a horrible team; it’s just that Texas is that good, that college basketball oddsmakers have set the line so far in their favor.
