Iowa State Cyclones Betting
Iowa State is a persistent power in the Big 12 Conference, normally contending for one of the top spots in the men’s conference tournament seedings each year.
From Fred Hoiberg and Jeff Hornacek to Jamaal Tinsley and Marcus Fizer to current pros Monte Morris, Georges Niang, and the recently drafted Tyrese Haliburton, the Cyclones always have certifiable NBA talent on the court led by coach Steve Prohm.
With junior point guard Rasir Bolton leading the way this year, the Cyclones start the 2020-21 season with high expectations. As legal sportsbooks in Iowa offer a lot of ways to bet Iowa State men’s basketball games, that means a lot of opportunities to further engage in the sport for Iowans. Once you’re registered and have done your homework, it’s time to sit back and watch your wagers play out. Here’s how to bet on the Cyclones’ men’s team online in Iowa.
Live ISU odds at Iowa sportsbooks
Check our live odds feeds below (when active) for the best live point spread, moneyline and totals odds at Iowa online sportsbooks for the next Iowa St. Cyclones game. Click on any odds to go directly to the online sportsbook, claim your bonus and register a new account. On the right-hand side see the best available odds for the Cyclones to win the Big 12, make the Final Four or win the National Championship.
Odds on the next Cyclones game
Iowa State Big 12/national championship odds
How to bet on Cyclones basketball
Although Iowa is full of retail sportsbooks inside casinos, the ultimate in convenience is online sports betting. It’s easy, free, and quick to get that set up for yourself using a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Just visit the website of the sportsbook of choice on your computer or Android device. If you’re using an iOS device, search for the mobile betting app that corresponds to the sportsbook you want to use.
From there, the sportsbook will walk you through the registration process. You’ll just have to provide a few pieces of identifying information so the sportsbook can verify you are eligible to bet. In Iowa, that means you’re at least 21 years of age and not on any gambling self-exclusion lists. Once you’re verified, the next step is to make your first deposit. Watch your email and notifications for deposit bonuses the sportsbook offers, as these tend to be the best promos you can get.
After you’ve made your deposit, it’s time to browse the betting markets. Click or tap on the college basketball heading, then scroll until you see the Cyclones game. There are many ways to bet on college basketball games in Iowa. You can even bet on the results of entire seasons or parts of games if you wish.
College basketball betting formats
Sports betting is now widely available in Iowa, with sportsbooks offering a range of markets on all Iowa State Cyclones basketball games — as well as a full range of NBA and NCAA matches. Here are some of the most popular markets:
- Point Spread: In this market the sportsbook will add a number of points onto the underdogs to make the game an even betting proposition. If you’ve backed the favored team, you’d need it to win by more than the point spread, otherwise, all backers of the underdog will win.
- Moneyline: This is a simple bet on the outright winner of the game. The money line can be a good option if you fancy an outsider to cause an upset at long odds (March Madness, for example), or if you think a favorite is a solid win for a small return.
- Totals: Totals wagers are where you’ll predict if the total amount of points in the game (from both sides combined) will be higher or lower than a given number. A good market to get involved in if you think the game will be either offense or defense dominated.
As well as these options, on the bigger games in the season, you can find a series of prop bets. These can be based on the score at halftime or at the end of regulation. The main futures market in college basketball is the outright winner of the NCAA Championship. If you think the Iowa State Cyclones men’s basketball team might have a chance of success in March, you can back them early at long odds.
Bets not allowed in Iowa
Iowa law says sportsbooks can’t accept prop bets based on the results of individual college athletes’ performances. For example, you can’t bet on how many points Bolton will score in a game. That doesn’t apply to team-based props, however. So, you’re good to place a wager on the Cyclones first-half spread, for instance. Other than that exception, there are no restrictions for college basketball in Iowa.
Iowa State Cyclones schedule
Like the 2019-20 season, the 2020-21 season is at the mercy of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Iowa State plans to play as much of its full schedule as possible, that can change at any time. Thus, bettors need to pay attention to headlines as games could be canceled or postponed on very short notice.
If Iowa State is able to play its full slate, that will include a total of 23 contests. The conference slate of 18 games is a simple home-and-home series with all other teams in the Big 12.
The non-conference slate includes in-state rival Iowa, which is a daunting task as the Iowa Hawkeyes are highly touted this season. Among imposing foes in conference play this year are the Baylor Bears, Kansas Jayhawks, Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and West Virginia Mountaineers. If Iowa State finishes in the top half of the conference in the final regular-season standings, they will undoubtedly earn it.
How did Iowa State do last season?
Like every other NCAA men’s basketball team in the 2019-20 season, the Cyclones were unable to finish the year. The Big 12 Conference canceled its men’s tournament after the opening round and the NCAA men’s tournament never began due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In reality, an early end to the season didn’t make much of a difference for the team’s fans. It was a long shot to qualify for March Madness.
Iowa State went 12-20 overall, including 5-13 in conference play, in 2019-20. That earned them the last seed in the Big 12 tourney, which they were quickly eliminated in by Oklahoma State on the tournament’s opening night. The Cyclones lost their top scorer from that team, Haliburton, to the NBA. Bolton was second on the team in scoring with 14.7 points per game.
Iowa State Cyclones records over the past five years
- 2019-20: 12-20 overall, 5-13 Big 12
- 2018-19: 23-12 overall, 9-9 Big 12
- 2017-18: 13-18 overall, 4-14 Big 12
- 2016-17: 24-11 overall, 12-6 Big 12
- 2015-16: 23-12 overall, 10-8 Big 12
Iowa State in March Madness
In all, the Cyclones have played in the NCAA Championship a total of 20 times. Their biggest success came in their first entry in 1944 when they reached the Final Four. However, this should come with a disclaimer that only eight teams played in the championship at that time. Iowa State hasn’t been back to the Final Four since.
Their furthest intrusion into the tournament since 1944 was the 1999-2000 season when the Cyclones reached the Elite Eight. Iowa State has been to the Sweet 16 in three other instances, however. Those were 1985-86, 2013-14, and 2015-16. Overall, the Cyclones have received a tournament bid in seven of the past 10 seasons. Their highest-ever seed is two, in both the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 seasons.
Iowa State statistical leaders in the past three seasons
- 2019-20: Points per game: Tyrese Haliburton, 15.2. Rebounds per game: Haliburton and Michael Jacobson, 5.9. Assists per game: Haliburton, 6.5.
- 2018-19: Points per game: Marial Shayok, 18.7. Rebounds per game: Jacobson: 5.9. Assists per game: Nick Weiler-Babb, 4.0.
- 2017-18: Points per game: Lindell Wiggington, 16.7. Rebounds per game: Cameron Lard, 8.1. Assists per game: Weiler-Babb, 6.8.
Iowa State Cyclones coaching staff
- 2016-17 to present: Steve Prohm, 97-77
- 2011-12 to 2015-16: Fred Hoiberg, 115-56
- 2007-08 to 2014-15: Greg McDermott, 59-68
- 2004-05 to 2006-07: Wayne Morgan, 55-39
Iowa State Cyclones top 5 NBA draft picks
Marcus Fizer, whom the Chicago Bulls selected fourth overall in 2000, carries the distinction of the Iowa State player drafted into the NBA the earliest. The only other top-five pick for the Cyclones is Zaid Abdul-Aziz, who the now-defunct Cincinnati Royals nabbed at No. 5 overall in the 1968 draft.
Eight other players, including Haliburton to the Sacramento Kings this year, have gone from Iowa State to the NBA in the first round of an annual draft. Royce White went 16th overall to the Houston Rockets in 2012. In 1997, the Dallas Mavericks took Kelvin Cato with the 15th overall selection.
Top 5 Iowa State Cyclones of all-time
- Jeff Hornacek: When it comes to Cyclones men’s basketball, Hornacek continues to stand head and shoulders above the rest. Hornacek spent 14 seasons in the NBA, playing in more than 1,000 games for three franchises. Not only did he finish with a career field goal percentage over 49% but he was an All-Star in the 1991-92 season. His final seasons with the Utah Jazz were perhaps the most memorable, as he helped the team win back-to-back Western Conference championships.
- Fred Hoiberg: Few players return to their alma maters to coach, but Hoiberg adds that distinction to his accomplishments as a player. “The Mayor” won the hearts of Cyclone faithful over four years then played four seasons in the NBA. He led the Big Eight in effective field goal percentage in the 1993-94 season then set the pace for the entire NBA in three-point shooting percentage during the 2004-05 season.
- Wesley Johnson: Over nine seasons and more than 600 games, Johnson proved an ability to find a roster spot in the NBA consistently. Voted a member of the second-team All-Rookie squad in 2010-11, Johnson averaged nine points or more per game in three seasons for three different teams. At the collegiate level, Johnson was a first-team All-American in the 2009-10 season.
- Jamaal Tinsley: A second-team All-American in 2000-01 for Iowa State and a member of the NBA All-Rookie second team in 2001-02 for the Indiana Pacers, Tinsley may have only spent two years in Ames but they were memorable ones. Tinsley averaged six or more assists and 11 or more points per game in both of the seasons he led the Cyclones offense, leading Iowa State to a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament in both of his years. Tinsley then went on to play seven seasons and 547 games in the NBA for three different teams.
- Kelvin Cato: Cato’s two years at Iowa State proceeded five seasons in the NBA, over which he appeared in 541 games. Cato’s prowess as a rim defender was well-earned, as he led the Big 12 in blocked shots in his senior year. His total also placed him fifth in all of NCAA D1 that season. Cato was also an effective rebounder, placing fourth and fifth in the conference in total rebounds per game during his two years in Ames. He finished his NBA career averaging 1.3 blocks per game.
Iowa State Cyclones home games
- Campus: Iowa State University, Ames, IA
- Stadium: Hilton Coliseum
- Undergrad Enrollment: 28,294
- Coach: Steve Prohm
- All-time Record: 1,388-1,347
- Big 12 Record: 180-218 (1996-97 through the present)
- Big 12 Titles: Six regular season, six tournament
- NCAA Tournament Record: 19-20 (20 appearances)
How to listen to, stream and watch Cyclones basketball live
The Big 12 has a partnership with multiple broadcasters to carry men’s basketball games. The two primary places to look for Cyclones games are ESPN and Fox. For streaming options, ESPN+ may have Iowa State games available, subject to local blackout rules and other stipulations. Live games on Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, may be available on the Fox Sports Go app with a cable/satellite subscription. ESPN carries the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament.
Learfield IMG negotiates the radio rights for Iowa State athletics. If you’re not in the Ames area, you can find live audio streams of Cyclones games on the TuneIn Radio app.
Iowa State Cyclones Basketball FAQ
What are the Cyclones team colors/mascot?
Iowa State’s colors are cardinal and gold. The mascot is Cy the Cardinal. The team nickname is a homage to frequent tornadoes in central Iowa.
What is the Cyclones fight song?
Iowa State’s fight song is appropriately named “Iowa State Fights.” The song has enjoyed that official status since 1930.
Why is Iowa State in the Big 12 but Iowa is in the Big Ten?
There are some historical anecdotes here, but the main reason is that both of these athletic departments have been part of the same conference structures since the inception of the collegiate conference structure. Those conferences have had different names at different times, but these institutions have remained loyal over the decades.
How many Iowa State basketball numbers are retired?
The Cyclones have retired five jersey numbers for men’s basketball.
- 14 – Jeff Hornacek/Waldo Wegner
- 20 – Gary Thompson
- 32 – Fred Hoiberg
- 35 – Zaid Abdul-Aziz, Barry Stevens
- 44 – Jeff Grayer
How many national championships has Iowa State won?
None. The Cyclones have never played for a national championship in men’s basketball. They did reach a national semifinal in 1944 but haven’t returned to the Final Four since then.