The Pitt Panthers (23-11) battle the Iowa State Cyclones (19-13) Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Tip from Greensboro Coliseum in the Midwest Region game is set for 3:10 p.m. ET (truTV). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Pitt vs. Iowa State'odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Panthers beat Mississippi State 60-59 in the battle of the First Four, and have won of their 8 games, posting a 4-4 against the spread (ATS) record. F Blake Hinson leads the Panthers, averaging 15.5 points per game. The Panthers are an ACC-best 23-10-1 ATS on the season.
Iowa State, 16-16 ATS on the season, comes in as the region’s No. 6 seed, having lost to Kansas 71-58 in the Big 12 Tournament, a day after beating No. 3-seeded Baylor 78-72. Iowa State lost 5 of its last 7 games, failing to cover in all 5 losses. It is led by G Jaren Holmes, who is averaging 13.4 PPG.
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll