Iowa State at Kansas Betting Tips, Odds & Preview

Iowa State at Kansas Preview

The Iowa State Cyclones enter Tuesday’s Big 12 showdown at Kansas as one of the nation’s last remaining unbeaten teams, riding a 15-0 start built on elite efficiency, balanced scoring, and one of the country’s stingiest defenses. Iowa State has controlled games with its combination of top-five defensive scoring metrics and a top-10 national field goal percentage, while Joshua Jefferson and Tamin Lipsey continue to anchor an offense that ranks fourth nationally in three-point shooting. Before traveling to Lawrence, the Cyclones will host Oklahoma State on Saturday, a matchup that could influence their momentum and rotation usage heading into Tuesday night.

Kansas returns home after a demanding early-January stretch that included an overtime win against TCU and a road loss at UCF. The Jayhawks remain one of the nation’s best defensive teams, ranking inside the top 10 in opponent field goal percentage and top three in opponent three-point percentage. Darryn Peterson continues to lead the offense at 22.5 points per game, while Flory Bidunga provides interior scoring and rebounding stability. Kansas will first travel to West Virginia on Saturday, and that result will shape how the Jayhawks enter Tuesday’s matchup with an unbeaten Iowa State team.

On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the No. 2 Iowa State Cyclones will visit the No. 22 Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, KS. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Public Betting Odds Factors

Iowa State’s undefeated record and elite defensive profile will attract sharp and public interest.
Kansas’ home-court advantage at Allen Fieldhouse remains one of the strongest in college basketball.
Iowa State’s strong ATS performance (10-5) may draw bettors toward the road side.
Kansas’ 5-10 totals record could influence under bettors against the college basketball spread, especially given both teams’ defensive metrics.
Both teams play Saturday, meaning bettors may wait for injury, fatigue, and momentum updates before committing to a side or total.

Iowa State at Kansas Predictions

Handicapping Factors to Consider

Iowa State ranks top-10 nationally in both field goal percentage and three-point percentage, creating matchup pressure even against Kansas’ elite defense.
Kansas’ defensive metrics — top-10 in opponent FG% and top-3 in opponent 3PT% — directly challenge Iowa State’s biggest offensive strengths.
Iowa State’s defensive rebounding (9th nationally) could limit Kansas’ second-chance scoring.
Kansas’ scoring balance behind Peterson, Council, and Bidunga gives the Jayhawks multiple ways to attack Iowa State’s half-court defense.
Iowa State’s road performance at Purdue and Baylor suggests the Cyclones are comfortable in hostile environments.

Iowa State at Kansas Prime Best Bet: Iowa State Cyclones

Iowa State Cyclones Betting Tips

Iowa State brings one of the most efficient shooting profiles in the country into Lawrence. The Cyclones rank among the national leaders in field goal percentage and three-point shooting.
Free-throw shooting remains a relative weakness, and Iowa State does not rely heavily on rebounding volume to generate offense.
Defensively, the Cyclones have been consistent all season.
Iowa State has limited opponents’ scoring effectively, protects the defensive glass well, and forces teams to execute in the half court.
That defensive structure has translated into strong straight-up and against-the-spread results, particularly in lower-scoring games.
Iowa State is 15-0 straight up, 10-5 against the college basketball spread, and 8-7 over/under.
The Cyclones have covered four of their last six games.
Iowa State has gone under the total in three of its last five matchups.

Kansas Jayhawks Betting Tips

Kansas’ offensive numbers reflect a team that plays at a measured pace and leans more heavily on defense than scoring volume.
The Jayhawks rank in the lower third nationally in scoring offense, with shooting percentages that sit closer to the national average than elite.
Free-throw shooting and rebounding have been steadier areas of production, helping Kansas remain competitive even when perimeter shots are not falling.
On the defensive end, Kansas continues to profile as a tough matchup. The Jayhawks contest shots well, limit clean perimeter looks, and often force opponents into longer possessions.
While rebounding consistency has fluctuated, Kansas’ defense has helped drive a strong trend toward lower-scoring outcomes at Allen Fieldhouse.
Kansas is 11-4 straight up, 9-6 against the spread, and 5-10 over/under.
The Jayhawks have failed to cover two of their last three games.
Kansas has gone under the total in seven of its last ten matchups.

Iowa State at Kansas Head-to-Head and Key Stats

Kansas is 7-3 straight up in the last 10 meetings, but they are just 4-6 ATS.
The teams have gone under the total in eight of the last ten meetings.
Kansas won the most recent meeting on Feb. 3, 2025, 69-52 as a 3-point favorite at home.
Iowa State won on Jan. 15, 2025, 74-57 as a 5-point favorite at home.