Indiana vs. Iowa Prediction and Odds for Big Ten Conference Semifinals (Hawkeyes On Cruise Control)
By Joe Summers
The 30-12 Indiana Hoosiers likely clinched an NCAA Tournament birth with a huge win over Illinois yesterday and now take on the 24-9 Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference Semifinals today at 1:00 PM EST.
Iowa breezed by Northwestern and Rutgers in the first two rounds of the tournament and have covered the spread in five straight games, but the Hoosiers have covered in three straight themselves and are finding a groove with their backs against the wall.
The Hawkeyes got the best of Indiana 83-74 in January - are we in for a repeat or will the Hoosiers get revenge?
Here are the odds via WynnBET to help us find out ahead of this Big Ten Conference Semifinal matchup:
Indiana vs Iowa Odds, Spread and Total
Spread
- Indiana: +6 (-110)
- Iowa: -6 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Indiana: +210
- Iowa: -260
Total:
- 144 (Over -110/Under -110)
Indiana vs Iowa Prediction and Pick
Iowa was my pre-tournament pick to win it and they've done nothing to make me back off now. Their offense has been brilliant in the first two rounds in putting up 112 and 84 points. In the last five games, their offensive rating is in the 100th percentile and they look completely unstoppable.
The Hoosiers are a nice story and deserve credit for making the Semifinals, but it took an absurd collapse from Michigan then Alfonso Plumber and Andre Curbelo combining to shoot 3/19 from the field to get here. I don't think Iowa is going to fumble the game away like Indiana's previous opponents and should overwhelm a Hoosiers' defense that ranks in just the 22nd percentile in rating over their last five games.
The Hawkeyes are 9-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last 11 and have distinct advantages across the board. They're better shooters, have a better bench, and should get to the foul line a ton against an Indiana team that ranks 199th in defensive free throw rate.
Indiana doesn't have the firepower to keep up and I expect Iowa to pull away late. I'll admit, the Hoosiers have covered the spread in each of their last three as an underdog, but prior to that were just 1-6 ATS on the year and they haven't faced a team lately playing as well as the Hawkeyes are.
This Iowa bunch is a legitimate national championship contender and I think they cruise against an overmatched Hoosiers team.
Pick: Iowa -6 (-110)
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.