The No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes (22-11), 3.5-point underdogs, meet the No. 7 Cincinnati Bearcats (28-6) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 137.5 points and it is scheduled to start at 12:15 p.m. ET on Friday, March 22, 2019.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Odds
In their last contest, the Bearcats beat the 11th-ranked Houston Cougars, 69-57, while the Hawkeyes lost big to the 10th-ranked Michigan Wolverines, 74-53.
Cincinnati dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.380 (above their season average of 0.265) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.500 (above their season average of 0.490). For those same stats, Houston recorded marks of 0.177 and 0.371, respectively. Iowa, on the other hand, had a better free throw rate (0.169 vs. 0.129). Jarron Cumberland had a good outing for Cincinnati, putting up 33 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Iowa was lifted by Tyler Cook, who put up 14 points and six rebounds.
Hawkeyes games have a slight tendency to finish under the total (51.5 percent). Iowa has a respectable 22-11 straight up (SU) record, but they have a hard time covering the spread (13-20 against the spread (ATS)).
Much like Iowa, just over half of Bearcats games have finished under the O/U total. Cincinnati is 28-6 SU, but they have difficulty covering the spread (14-20 ATS).
It might turn into a shootout as two of the NCAA’s best offenses square off. Cincinnati currently ranks 58th with 110.7 points per 100 possessions and Iowa is 42nd (112.1).
Iowa vs. Cincinnati ATS Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Cincinnati, ATS Winner – Cincinnati, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Cincinnati ranks 34th in assists allowed per game (11.0) while Iowa ranks 274th (15.9).
- The Hawkeyes rank 163rd in three pointers attempted per game (22.4) while the Bearcats rank 282nd (19.0).
- Cincinnati ranks 32nd in blocks per game (4.5) while Iowa ranks 133rd (3.3).
- The Bearcats rank second in steals allowed per game (3.9) while the Hawkeyes rank 171st (6.7).
- Cincinnati ranks 17th in rebounds allowed per game (31.0) while Iowa ranks 147th (34.7).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Bearcats have scored an average of 68.2 points per game (3.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 67.4 points per game (5.2 above their season average).
- The Hawkeyes have been outscored by an average of 7.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Iowa has defeated opponents by an average of 4.7 points.
