Colorado Buffaloes vs Iowa State Cyclones Prediction, 1/29/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Colorado Buffaloes vs Iowa State Cyclones

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026

Location: Hilton Coliseum in Ames, IA

TV: FS1

The Colorado Buffaloes (12-8) are on their way to Hilton Coliseum on Thursday where they will take on the Iowa State Cyclones (18-2).

The Colorado Buffaloes stepped onto the hardwood against UCF and ended up losing by a score of 95-86 in their last contest. Colorado finished the contest with a 51.8% FG percentage (29 of 56) and converted 11 out of their 20 shots from downtown. From the charity stripe, the Buffaloes made 17 of their 22 tries for a percentage of 77.3%. When it comes to pulling down rebounds, they compiled 22 with 4 of them being offensive. They also recorded 17 assists for the matchup as well as creating 12 turnovers and getting 9 steals. When it comes to the defense, Colorado let their opponent shoot 61.1% from the floor on 33 out of 54 shooting. UCF distributed 18 assists and had 4 steals for this contest. Additionally, UCF pulled down 32 rebounds (7 offensive, 25 defensive), but didn't have a block. UCF walked away from this one shooting 66.7% from the charity stripe by converting 14 of 21 shots. They also converted 15 out of their 24 tries from downtown. Concerning fouls, the Buffaloes walked away with 18 while UCF finished the game with 15 fouls.

Barrington Hargress is someone who was important for the game. He finished the game shooting 75.0% from the field and distributed 4 assists. He was on the court for 33 mins and also snagged 1 rebound. He accumulated 20 points on 6 of 8 shooting.

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Colorado steps onto the court with a win-loss mark of 12-8 for the year. They are giving up possession 9.9 times per game and as a team they are committing 17.3 fouls per game. As a team, Colorado is pulling down 35.3 rebounds per game and is sitting with 317 assists for the season, which is 100th in Division 1 in terms of passing the ball. The Buffaloes are connecting on 36.0% on shots from downtown (143 of 397) and 77.2% from the charity stripe. They currently have an average of 82.6 pts per contest (68th in college hoops) while going 47.8% from the floor.

Defensively, the Buffaloes are forcing 11.1 turnovers on a nightly basis while drawing 19.6 fouls. They give up 37.1% on shots from beyond the arc and they are 292nd in college in opponents points per game (78.0). The Buffaloes are giving up a field goal percentage of 45.8% (552 of 1,204) and they surrender 33.7 rebounds per game as a group. They are 156th in college hoops in allowing assists to the opposition with 268 conceded on the campaign.

In their last game, the Iowa State Cyclones took home the win by a final score of 84-71 against Oklahoma State. The Cyclones were able to collect 25 defensive rebounds and 11 offensive boards totaling 36 in this matchup. They turned the ball over 17 times, while getting 10 steals in this matchup. Oklahoma State was called for 21 personal fouls in this matchup which took the Cyclones to the free throw line for a total of 27 shots. They were able to knock down 21 of the free throw tries for a percentage of 77.8%. In regard to shooting from beyond the arc, Iowa State converted 11 of 26 attempts (42.3%). When the game finished, the Cyclones finished 26 out of 51 from the field which gave them a rate of 51.0%. The Cyclones permitted Oklahoma State to bury 22 of 56 attempts from the floor which left them with a shooting percentage of 39.3% in this game. They finished 30.0% from 3-point land by connecting on 9 of 30 and ended up shooting 18 out of 23 from the free throw line (78.3%). In reference to rebounding, Iowa State allowed Oklahoma State to grab 27 in total (11 offensive).

Milan Momcilovic pitched in for the Cyclones in the matchup. He made 8 of 12 for this contest for a field goal rate of 66.7%, and accumulated 7 rebounds. He racked up 29 points in his 38 minutes on the hardwood and had 3 assists in this matchup.

Iowa State has a mark of 18-2 for the season. In terms of offensive execution, the Cyclones are shooting 50.7% from the floor, which ranks 16th in Division 1. Iowa State has accounted for 1,712 points on the year (85.6 per game) and they grab 36.8 rebounds per contest. Their rate of assisting teammates is at 18.1 times per game (19th in college) and they are turning it over 10.7 times per contest. The Cyclones have committed 15.6 fouls per contest and they shoot 68.2% from the free throw line.

The Iowa State defense gives up 31.8% on 3-point attempts (150 of 472) and their opponents are converting on 70.6% of their foul shots. They have conceded 12.8 dimes and 30.6 rebounds per contest, which has them ranked 136th and 19th in college hoops. The Cyclones on the defensive end are ranked 16th in D-1 in points per game surrendered with 64.9. They are forcing 16.2 TO's every game and have allowed teams to shoot 41.7% from the field (73rd in Division 1).

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Colorado

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