Iowa State vs. Iowa Prediction and Odds for Thursday, December 8 (Kris Murray Injury Worth Monitoring)

One of college basketball's fiercest rivalries takes place on Thursday night in this edition of the Cy-Hawk rivalry game between in-state foes Iowa and Iowa State.

The Hawkeyes are looking to bounce back after losing to Duke at Madison Square Garden and may be without their best player, forward Kris Murray. How will the Hawkeyes respond at home with a difficult opponent coming to town in Iowa State, who is 7-1 on the year.

Here are the odds for Thursday night's showdown:

Iowa State vs. Iowa Odds, Spread and Total

Iowa State vs. Iowa Prediction and Pick

This matchup is going to be strength on strength as Iowa's vaunted offense matches up against the turnover-centric Iowa State defense, but the Hawkeyes may be short handed with Kris Murray battling a foot injury.

Murray has been one of the best players in the country this season, averaging over 19 points and 10 rebounds this season and his impact can't be exaggerated. This season, Iowa has thrived at protecting the ball, the lowest turnover percentage in the country, but will lack an identity with Murray out and matched up with a ball hungry Cyclones defense that is forcing turnovers on over 30% of their defensive possessions, the highest rate in the country.

Iowa State's offense isn't super efficient, 193rd in effective field goal percentage, but they crash the glass very well, generating second chances on 35% of missed shots (34th in the nation) and should give problems to a shaky Iowa frontcourt that is 255th in defensive rebounding rate.

This number is trickling down from the opener of 6.5 (find my bets here in real-time here) on the news that Murray may miss the game, but to me, this is a Cyclones or pass spot for me.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.