The Marquette Golden Eagles take on the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames, IA. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Iowa State is favored by 5.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -250. The total is set at 151 points.
Here’s my Marquette vs. Iowa State predictions and college basketball picks for December 4, 2024.
Marquette vs Iowa State Odds
| Marquette Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 | 151 -110 / -110 | +205 |
| Iowa State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 | 151 -110 / -110 | -250 |
- Marquette vs Iowa State spread: Iowa State -5.5
- Marquette vs Iowa State over/under: 151 points
- Marquette vs Iowa State moneyline: Iowa State -250, Marquette +205
- Marquette vs Iowa State best bet: Iowa State -5.5 (Play to -6)
My Marquette vs Iowa State College Basketball Betting Preview
Two of the very best teams that college basketball has to offer in 2024 square off in Ames in what should be a fantastic game on Wednesday night.
The combined records of Marquette and Iowa State thus far on the season are 13-1, with Iowa State's 83-81 loss to No. 2 Auburn as the only blemish.
It's no surprise that both of these teams are trending towards being Final Four contenders, as that was the case last year, and each program returned several key pieces from their 2023-24 rosters.
For Marquette, it starts with All-American candidate Kam Jones.
You won't find a more natural scorer in the country, and he can do it in so many different ways.
Jones was a very good player last season, but with the departure of Tyler Kolek, he has taken things to a new level this year.
David Joplin and Chase Ross are two more valuable wings that can shoot it and also play high-level defense on the perimeter.
Aggressive and swarming defense has always been the backbone of Shaka Smart-coached teams, and this year is looking no different, with the Golden Eagles currently checking in at sixth nationally in KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency rankings.
That type of defensive prowess is required to win in Hilton Coliseum, a place where the Cyclones have been dominant since T.J. Otzelberger took over.
Marquette will also need to take care of the basketball, as Iowa State gets after you itself, especially in its own building.
Point guard Tamin Lipsey is the quarterback of this team and makes everything run with the ball in his hands.
Lipsey can shoot it from deep, but he is at his best getting into the lane and either finishing at the rim or dishing it to the open man.
Curtis Jones and Keshon Gilbert join Lipsey in the backcourt, forming one of the most lethal guard trios you will see in college basketball.
Then there's forward Milan Momcilovic, one of the most unique players in the country whose game is a bit of an ode to Dirk Nowitzki.
Momcilovic's fadeaway is unblockable and he's also a very reliable catch and shoot guy.
The Cyclones are inside the top 15 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, showing a balance that very few teams in the country can match.
I think Marquette is a very good basketball team, but Iowa State is elite, and it has Hilton Magic with it in this one.
Expect a back-and-forth first half, but I think the depth and physicality of the Cyclones will wear down the Golden Eagles as the game goes on.
Give me Iowa State to win and cover the six in its own building in what should be a heck of a game.
