Iowa State at Arizona Preview & Betting Tips

The Iowa State Cyclones travel to face the Arizona Wildcats on Monday, March 2, at McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona. This is a high-stakes and highly anticipated Big 12 Conference matchup, a crucial late-regular-season showdown on ESPN.

The Iowa State Cyclones are having an outstanding season under head coach TJ Otzelberger in his fifth year. As the regular season winds down, they are in a strong seeding position for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Consider the Cyclones started red-hot with a 16-0 record to open the year. That marked their longest winning streak to start a season (and one of the longest overall in program history).

Late on, Iowa State had a big upset win over a top-ranked Houston team. However, they've had a couple of losses, including a recent streak-breaker at BYU.

Nationally, Iowa State has climbed rankings, appearing as high as No. 4 in the AP Poll recently (around No. 4-6 in mid-to-late February polls). In advanced metrics like KenPom, they're elite defensively (top 10 nationally) and strong offensively.

In the latest NCAA Tournament projections (Top 16 reveal around Feb 21), they're positioned as a No. 1 seed contender or a high No. 2 seed, controlling their destiny with a strong resume of Quad 1 wins and a high SRS (strength of record around the top 6 nationally).

Iowa State’s impressive resume will face its toughest test at Arizona.

Iowa State at Arizona Preview

On Monday, March 2, 2026, the Arizona Wildcats will host the Iowa State Cyclones at McKale Memorial Center in Tucson, AZ. Tipoff time is 9 p.m. ET with television coverage on ESPN.

Public Betting Odds Factors

Iowa State is in a prime position for a high NCAA seed and a deep March run.

ISU’s balanced attack, suffocating defense, and experience make them one of the most complete teams in the country this year.

Iowa State has realistic national title aspirations in a loaded Big 12.

This matchup pits two top-tier teams against each other in the expanded Big 12.

Arizona has been dominant all season, sitting atop the conference with an elite record and strong positioning for a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Iowa State at Arizona Predictions

Handicapping Factors to Consider

Iowa State offers value as an upset play against the NCAA basketball spread as the line goes higher.

Public money will push Arizona heavily, creating greater value for the Cyclones.

Both teams rank as elite defensively.

Arizona is in a letdown spot after playing on Saturday against Kansas in a marquee matchup.

Iowa State at Arizona Prime Best Bet: Iowa State Cyclones

Iowa State at Arizona Betting Tips

Iowa State Cyclones

Iowa State has national rankings of 63^rd in scoring offense, 14th in field goal percentage, 8th in 3-point field goal percentage, 344th in free throw percentage, and 156th in offensive rebounding.

The Cyclones rank 11^th for scoring defense, 66^th for field goal percentage permitted, 75^th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 18^th for defensive rebounding.

The Iowa State Cyclones are 24-4 straight up, 17-11 against the spread, and 12-16 over/under the total.

Iowa State has covered seven out of its last ten games.

The Cyclones have gone under the total in five of their previous six matchups.

Arizona Wildcats

Arizona has national rankings of 5^th in scoring offense, 12th in field goal percentage, 108th in 3-point field goal percentage, 178th in free throw percentage, and 2nd in offensive rebounding.

The Wildcats rank 86^th for scoring defense, 7^th for field goal percentage permitted, 59^th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 40^th for defensive rebounding.