The Iowa State Cyclones, the third seed in the South Region, take on the 14th seeded UAB Blazers today in NCAA Tournament Second Round action. The game is scheduled for a 12:40 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on truTV. Currently the College Basketball Betting Odds for the game have the Cyclones as a hefty favorite to advance in the tournament.

Iowa State is riding high after winning the Big 12 Tournament earlier this month, knocking off regular season champion Kansas in the finals. Fred Hoiberg’s team enters the NCAA Tournament with a lot of momentum and optimism as they look to make a run to the Final Four.

Today they take on a UAB team that beat Middle Tennessee State in the finals of the Conference USA tourney, upsetting favorite Louisiana Tech in the semifinals. The Blazers were not a consistent team all season and finished 0-4 against tournament teams on their schedule. UAB, though, is going to be soaking up the experience and looking to continue to improve as they have the youngest roster of any team in the tournament with a combined seven years of experience.

That doesn’t make this game against Iowa State an even one on the surface. The Cyclones got to the Sweet 16 last season, eventually losing to Connecticut. There are several players back from that team, including Georges Niang, who broke a bone in his foot and wasn’t able to play after the opening game. Niang, and the Cyclones, are healthy and looking for a nice run here and it starts with beating UAB.

Iowa State is considerably better offensively and will look to make this game a transition one. The only way the Cyclones lose this game is if they don’t come focused and ready to go. Iowa State is seeded well and they should cruise in this one.

Free Pick: Iowa State 78, UAB 61

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