Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Vegas Play of the Day: Texas at Iowa State

The Play of the Day, which uses odds from the South Point and $10,000 starting bankrolls, is in a tailspin with four straight losses.

After contributing two of them, I’m eager to get back in the virtual payout line tonight.

Texas plus-5.5 at Iowa State: $330 to win $300

Concerns abound for both the Longhorns and Cyclones coming into Big Monday after troublesome upset losses this weekend. Here’s to betting that Iowa State’s issues are more severe.

By the betting line, the margin of Texas’ loss to Kansas on Saturday was worse than Iowa State’s to Texas Tech. The Longhorns failed to cover by 16 points, falling 75-62 as 3-point favorites versus the Jayhawks, while the Cyclones were only 14.5-point losers on the spread with a 78-73 setback as 9.5-point favorites.

But Kansas might be one of the 10 best teams in the country. Texas Tech might not be one of the 10 best teams in Texas.

The Longhorns shot 3-for-18 from the three-point line against the Jayhawks, which also committed a microscopic three turnovers. They should improve in both categories by default tonight.

Iowa State won’t have much for Texas’ towering frontcourt of Myles Turner, Cameron Ridley and Connor Lammert. The Longhorns’ guards, specifically breakout sophomore Isaiah Taylor, aren’t quite as outmanned as the Cyclones’ tempo-pushing backcourt.

Iowa State has major advantages with both its home court, Hilton Arena, and coaching, as Fred Hoiberg is one of the country’s best. But this game should come down to one possession. More than three points is too many.

Standings: Bern (64-54-1, $12,166), Keefer (62-63-2, $9,927), Brewer (57-62-3, $6,685)

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy