The Iowa State Cyclones head to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Utes on Tuesday night in a Big 12 conference basketball showdown. Iowa State enters as one of the more successful teams in the country with a 23-4 record and strong offensive numbers, while Utah has struggled to a 10-17 mark and looks to defend its home court at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Here, I break downt his matchup in the Big 12 and bring you my Iowa State vs Utah prediction against the spread.
Our Iowa State vs Utah Pick
Pick: Iowa State -12.5 ATS PRO
Confidence: 4 out of 5
Game Snapshot
Matchup: Iowa State Cyclones @ Utah Utes
Date & Time: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 9:00 PM ET
Venue: Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Broadcast: FS1
Key Storylines
Iowa State has been one of the top offensive teams in the nation this season, averaging over 83 points per game and shooting above .500 from the field overall, creating a clear scoring edge over most opponents.
Utah’s 10-17 record belies a team capable of competitive stretches at home, but recent conference play has been challenging with losses stacking up. The Utes are 2-12 in the Big 12 so far this year and will try to pull off a huge upset here.
Key Players
Utah Utes
Terrence Brown: A leading scorer for Utah, Brown has consistently put points on the board and remains one of the Utes’ primary offensive threats. He needs to be effective early to keep Utah competitive.
Keanu Dawes: Solid on the glass and contributing scoring as well, Dawes helps Utah end possessions successfully and offers rebounding strength that can limit second‑chance points for Iowa State.
Iowa State Cyclones
Milan Momcilovic: The Cyclones have balanced scoring, with multiple players capable of double‑digit production. Momcilovic is shooting over 50% for the season and he averages 17.5 points per game for the season.
Joshua Jefferson: Iowa State’s rebounding and assists leader for the season, Jefferson makes winning plays in a number of different ways and will try to help the Cyclones rebound from their road loss to BYU.
Stat Comparison
Statistic
Iowa State
Utah
Points per game
83.1
75.6
Points allowed per game
65.1
78.4
Team Field Goal %
50%
45%
Rebounds Per Game
36.1
34.5
Assists Per Game
17.9
13.8
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
This is the first matchup of the season between the Utes and Cyclones.
Iowa State is 15-11-1 against the spread going into this matchup.
Utah is 14-13 against the spread entering Tuesday's action.
Iowa State vs Utah Model Projection
Score Projection: Iowa State 84 – Utah 66 ATS PRO
Win Probability: Iowa State 87%, Utah 13% ATS PRO
Final Thoughts
Iowa State’s clear statistical advantages and superior performance this season make them a strong selection against Utah in my eyes. Expect them to control the tempo, exploit offensive mismatches, and cover the spread while keeping Terrence Brown in check for the Utes.
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