Kentucky Wildcats vs Iowa State Cyclones Picks and Predictions for Sunday, March 22, 2026

By: Cameron Ross Published 03/22/2026, 04:20 AM ET
Arizona State vs Iowa State prediction
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The Kentucky Wildcats continue their NCAA tournament push Sunday afternoon with a 2:45 PM match-up in Saint Louis against the Iowa State Cyclones, and we have you ready to roll with our Kentucky vs. Iowa State prediction.Β  Kentucky comes in around 2 of the tournament, with 22 wins and 13 losses on the year, appearing in the Iowa State Cyclones, coming around as a two seed with 28 wins and seven losses overall. Kentucky is playing well as of late, having won three of the last four, following a 5-point overtime victory against Santa Clara in round one of the dance. The Iowa State Cyclones have won four of the last five after a blowout win to open the tournament. Read more about this Milwaukee vs Orlando prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try ourΒ NCAAB Predictions!

Kentucky looks for the upset

The Kentucky offense has been the team’s biggest strength this season, averaging 81 points on 47% shooting from the floor. Defensively, Kentucky is allowing 74.1 points per game this season through 35 games played. The Kentucky offense did the work in their last outing, scoring 89 points, including sixteen in overtime, on 51% shooting and 36% from beyond the arc. Defensively, Kentucky did just enough, allowing 84 points on 41% shooting. Kentucky won the rebounding battle by two and forced 7 turnovers to seal the win. Otega Oweh led the way for the Kentucky offense in their last outing with 35 points, 8 rebounds, and seven assists on 24 shots.

Otega Oweh leads the Kentucky offense this season, averaging 18.7 points per game. Denzel Aberdeen is second on the roster, having 13.3 points to go along with the team lead of 3.5 assists. Collin Chandler averages 9.8 points, and Jaland Lowe is averaging eight points per game this season, but he has played just nine times. Big man Malachi Moreno averages 7.9 points to go along with the team-leading 6.3 rebounds per game.

Key Injury Report for Kentucky:

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  • Braydon HawthorneΒ  (Out) – Redshirt
  • Jaland Lowe (Out) – Undisclosed
  • Jayden Quaintance (Out) – Knee

Iowa State continues Final 4 push

The Iowa State offense is rolling this season, averaging 82.5 points on 49% shooting from the floor. Defensively, Iowa State has been elite, holding opponents to 65.4 points per game this season and allowing an average of 58.5 points per game over the last four wins. Defensively, Iowa State was mediocre in its last outing, but did the work, giving up 74 points on 43% shooting from the floor. The cyclones won the rebounding battle by 14 and 416 turnovers in the win. Offensively, Iowa State rolled, scoring 108 points on 53% shooting and 46% from beyond the arc.

Milan Momcilovic leads the Iowa State offense this season, averaging 17.1 points per game. Joshua Jefferson is second on the team, averaging 16.4 points to go along with the team-leading 7.4 rebounds per contest. Tamin Lipsey is the third Iowa State player in double digits, averaging 12.9 points to go along with a team-leading 4.9 assists per game.

Key Injury Report for Iowa State:

  • Xzavion Mitchell (Questionable) – Undisclosed
  • Mason Williams (Out) – Hip

Kentucky vs. Iowa State Pick

  • Kentucky vs Iowa State Spread Pick

This is a matchup between two good teams that have had a ton of success thus far this season. Look for Iowa State, however, to weather the storm as they are the better team on both sides of the ball. Iowa State has the depth and talent to overwhelm Kentucky for 40 minutes Sunday afternoon, leading to the victory. Take the side of clothes to continue their quest for a national championship as they get a winning cover Sunday afternoon in Saint Louis.

  • Kentucky vs Iowa State Over/Under Pick

Both teams score the ball well, and will look to continue that trend in this matchup. Despite 2 strong offenses, look for the defenses to shine through in this matchup. Iowa State is one of the better defensive teams in the country and will stifle Kentucky in this matchup. Take the under on Sunday afternoon as the Iowa State Cyclones pull off the second round win and cover.

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