Texas vs. Iowa State: How to watch, odds, picks, final score predictions from ESPN, KenPom

Two of the Big 12’s best are set to do battle in Ames on Tuesday night. Iowa State narrowly fell on the road against Kansas over the weekend, but otherwise had won six in a row, including their first four Big 12 games. TJ Otzelberger’s group is playing great ball of late. Meanwhile, Texas is balancing out after a chaotic month of December off the basketball court — having won three in a row and four of five to start league play.

Ahead of the Longhorns vs. Cyclones matchup, read below for all of the relevant information — tip time, TV channel, point spreads, predictions, etc.

How to watch

Tip-off: 8 p.m. 

Location: Ames, IA

Channel: Big 12 Network | ESPN+

Vegas odds

According to the consensus at Vegas Insider, Texas is a three-point favorite on the road against Iowa State.

ESPN BPI Prediction

Predicted winner: Texas

Predicted point differential: 1.8

Win probability: 57%

Matchup quality: 96.3 (No. 1 for Tuesday)

KenPom Prediction

Predicted final score: 68-66 Iowa State

Win probability: 52%

More on Texas-Iowa State

While Texas has gotten back in the win column lately and is off to a hot start in Big 12 play, they aren’t the most consistent performers. In some games, their offense has been excellent. In others, the defense has gotten the job done. They’ve yet to put together a great two-way performance in conference play yet, and that’ll be a challenge against Iowa State, who boasts one of the nation’s top defenses.

Otzelberger’s side has yet to allow 70 points in a regulation game and is holding Big 12 opponents to roughly 60 points a night. Now, part of that can be explained by the Cyclones playing slower than nearly every power five team in the country, but they’re definitely an elite defense as is.

Expect this game to move like molasses end in the mid-50’s or 60’s. Two physical teams that can D-up with the best of them.