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The 2024 Big 12 Tournament final features the No. 1 seed Houston Cougars playing against the No. 2 seed Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday. This will be the third matchup of this season between these foes as the series was split 1-1. On Feb. 19, Iowa State beat Houston 73-65. 

Tipoff from T-Mobile Center in Missouri is set for 6 p.m. ET. The Cougars are 5.5-point favorites in the latest Iowa State vs. Houston odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 122.5. Before making any Houston vs. Iowa State picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the proven SportsLine Projection Model.

The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters 2024 conference championship week on a 145-104 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $1,700 for $100 players. It also has a strong 28-18 (+820) record on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Houston vs. Iowa State and revealed its CBB picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for Iowa State vs. Houston:

  • Iowa State vs. Houston spread: Cougars -5.5
  • Iowa State vs. Houston over/under: 122.5 points
  • Iowa State vs. Houston money line: Cougars -258, Cyclones +209
  • ISU: 23-10 ATS this season 
  • HOU: 17-16 ATS this season 
  • Iowa State vs. Houston picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why Iowa State can cover

Junior guard Keshon Gilbert is an all-around playmaker for the Cyclones. The Missouri native averages 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. In the win over Baylor, Gilbert totaled 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Sophomore guard Tamin Lipsey gives the team an athletic, two-way weapon. Lipsey creates offense for himself and will jump into passing lanes to generate turnovers. He logs 12.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. Lipsey also averages 2.7 steals per matchup. On Thursday versus Kansas State, he racked up 11 points, four assists and one steal. See which team to pick here.

Why Houston can cover

Senior guard Jamal Shead is a tough, smart playmaker. Shead does a great job driving and kicking the ball out to his open teammates but can finish through some contact. He leads the team in assists (6.3) and steals (2.3) with 13.2 points per game. On Mar. 15 against Texas Tech, Shead dropped 12 points and 10 assists.

Junior J'Wan Roberts suffered a knee injury in Friday's win and junior forward Ja'Vier Francis stepped up tremendously. Francis has such a high motor and plays with relentless energy. In the win over Texas Tech, he amassed 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Francis showed he can provide a spark in the frontcourt. See which team to pick here.

How to make Iowa State vs. Houston picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 134 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine. 

So who wins Houston vs. Iowa State, and which side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has returned more than $1,700 on its college basketball picks this season, and find out.