Fortunately, for as much of a gauntlet that the Big Ten schedule is, it gives quick turnaround opportunities for teams to flush ugly losses. The schedule stops for no one, and big games await.
The Iowa Hawkeyes (18-7, 8-6 Big Ten) have a big chance at home inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena to fix things after a loss to Purdue, when they host the Nebraska Cornhuskers (22-3, 11-3 Big Ten) in conference action.
If you are looking for some betting advice for the matchup, we’ve got you covered. Here are the latest odds for the game, courtesy of DraftKings.
Iowa basketball vs. Nebraska betting odds
College basketball odds via DraftKings as of Monday, Feb. 116
Iowa vs. Nebraska prediction, pick:
Iowa is going to enter this game with some urgency. After two straight losses, things are getting a little hot around the collar as far as the NCAA Tournament outlook. The Hawkeyes know a win over Nebraska could all but lock up an at-large bid. This is much, much easier said than done, though.
The Hawkeyes are catching a Nebraska team, which, after a 20-0 start, is 2-3 in the last five, all Big Ten games. The losses are to Michigan, Illinois, and Purdue, which are not to be ashamed of, but they do show some cracks in the armor.
It is Pryce Sandfort’s return to Iowa City, and he comes in on fire. He has put up double-digits in his last 13 games, six of which have seen him score 20 or more, including 29 in the most recent game against Northwestern. The Hawkeyes have to slow him down, both inside and out, and force Rienk Mast, Braden Frager, or Jamarques Lawrence to score.
Who is going to help Bennett Stirtz? This is a glaring issue costing this team games. Against Maryland, Tavion Banks added 13 points, but no one else hit double-digits. It was even worse against Purdue. Stirtz led the way, as usual, with 19 points, but saw absolutely no help from anyone else.
While Iowa has the best player on the floor in Bennett Stirtz, Nebraska just has too many offensive weapons that can outpace Iowa’s other scorers. Iowa drops a third straight, and things get very interesting down the stretch as the Hawkeyes appear to be on a collision course with the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Prediction: Nebraska 71, Iowa 67
Best Bet: Over 136.5
How to watch Iowa basketball vs. Nebraska
Time: 8 p.m. CT
TV Channel: Big Ten Network
Streaming: Big Ten Network App
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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Iowa basketball vs. Nebraska: Big Ten betting odds, prediction
Reporting by Riley Donald, Hawkeyes Wire / College Sports Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
