Could Hollywood script it any better than this? The Iowa Hawkeyes are in their first Sweet 16 since 1999. The Nebraska Cornhuskers are in their first Sweet 16 ever. Both survived the round of 32 in games that came down to the last shot.
Iowa’s Alvaro Folgueiras hit a game-winning 3-pointer, while Nebraska saw a half-court heave from Vanderbilt go in and out.
The two now meet in the Sweet 16 with a spot in the Elite Eight on the line. The ninth-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes are taking on No. 4 seed Nebraska from the Toyota Center in Houston.
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
Iowa vs. Nebraska prediction, pick
This game is going to be a war. The two split in the regular season, with both games being close and the home team winning. Iowa took Nebraska down in Carver-Hawkeye, but the Cornhuskers returned the favor in overtime at their place. This should be no different.
These teams know each other so well. Having played twice already, they have seen what each other runs, what they like, and what mismatches are going to be sought after. There are no surprises in this game. It is going to be all about big-time players stepping up in a big-time moment.
Pryce Sandfort has been the guy for Nebraska this tournament. He has stepped up under the brightest of lights. For Iowa, the supporting cast of Alvaro Folgueiras, Tavion Banks, and Cooper Koch has shouldered the load.
All of that said, Iowa has one key player. Iowa has Bennett Stirtz. I refuse to believe he goes three games in a row without getting it going. Iowa has won the last two without him playing his best. Look for Bennett Stirtz to step up in a big game, as he has done so much during his career.
That brings us to the pick. It’s Iowa versus Nebraska. Iowa has been the Cornhuskers’ kryptonite for the last decade. In the best basketball season in Nebraska history, wouldn’t it be fitting for the Hawkeyes to be the ones to send them home, putting a very dampening, sour taste on what is a historic season?
Prediction: Iowa 67, Nebraska 64
Best Bet: Iowa money line
How to watch Iowa vs. Nebraska
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
TV Channel: TBS
Live stream: Watch on Sling (Regional restrictions may apply)
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : Iowa basketball vs. Nebraska: Sweet 16 betting odds, prediction
Reporting by Riley Donald, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
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