Lipscomb vs. Iowa State March Madness Preview and Prediction
In the No. 14 vs. No. 3 matchup in the NCAA Tournament South Region, the Lipscomb Bisons face the Iowa State Cyclones in first-round action.
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How to Watch Lipscomb vs. Iowa State
When: 1:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 21st
Where: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Watch: TNT
Odds for Lipscomb vs. Iowa State
(odds current at time of publish)
Spread: Iowa State -14.5 (-115), Lipscomb +14.5 (-105)
Total: Over 142.5 (-110), Under 142.5 (-110)
DraftKings Betting Splits | Live College Basketball Odds | Lipscomb vs. Iowa State Matchup Page
Lipscomb vs. Iowa State Preview & Prediction
The No. 3 seed Iowa State Cyclones are set to face the No. 14 seed Lipscomb Bisons in a first-round NCAA Tournament matchup. Under coach T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State has made two Sweet 16 appearances in the last four seasons, but they’re aiming higher this year. The Cyclones haven’t reached the Elite Eight since 2000 or the Final Four since 1944, and they’re hoping this squad has what it takes to break through.
Iowa State’s calling card is their suffocating defense, which ranks in the top 10 nationally. They excel at forcing turnovers, creating extra possessions that have fueled their success. Offensively, they’ve improved from last year, particularly in 2-point shooting efficiency. However, their low 3-point attempt rate and inconsistent shooting have led to some low-scoring games in conference play.
The Cyclones started the season red-hot at 15-1, including wins over Marquette and Arizona, but finished the regular season playing close to .500 ball. This inconsistency could be a concern in the tournament, where stringing together multiple strong performances is crucial. Adding to their challenges, Iowa State will be without Keshon Gilbert, their top facilitator and offensive catalyst.
Lipscomb, meanwhile, is making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018 after winning the Atlantic Sun Tournament. The Bisons are led by star big man Jacob Ognacevic, who averages 20.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Ognacevic headlines a balanced attack that features five players averaging double-figure scoring.
Coach Lennie Acuff’s team fits the Cinderella profile with their experienced guards, Will Pruitt and Joe Anderson, complementing Ognacevic’s inside presence. The Bisons have been highly regarded by advanced metrics all season, finishing in the low 80s in KenPom rankings and as a borderline top-100 team in Bart Torvik’s system.
Lipscomb’s offensive strengths lie in their ball protection and ball movement. They also boast a high 3-point attempt rate of over 47% and shoot nearly 80% from the free-throw line. However, their ability to maintain their shooting touch in larger arenas could be a factor.
The matchup presents an intriguing contrast in styles. Iowa State’s defensive pressure will test Lipscomb’s usually sure-handed guards, while the Bisons’ perimeter shooting could challenge the Cyclones’ interior-focused defense. Lipscomb will need to knock down 3s consistently, as penetrating Iowa State’s defense is a tall order.
While Iowa State is heavily favored, their recent inconsistency and Gilbert’s absence leave them somewhat vulnerable. Lipscomb’s best chance lies in turning this into a shooting contest, leveraging their 3-point proficiency against Iowa State’s stout interior defense.
March Madness always holds the potential for surprises, and Lipscomb’s efficient offense and experienced roster give them a puncher’s chance at an upset.
Estimated Score: Iowa State 77.2, Lipscomb 65.3
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