The Tennessee State Tigers will play against the Iowa State Cyclones in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. This first-round game will take place in the Midwest Region at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO. The game is scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2026, at 2:50 PM ET and will be broadcast on CBS.
The Tennessee State Tigers come into this game with a strong record. They finished the regular season with an overall record of 23-9 and a conference record of 17-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference. In their recent games, the Tigers secured wins against Morehead State, UT Martin, and another game against UT Martin, showing solid performances.
The Iowa State Cyclones are ranked #6 in the AP poll and play in the Big 12 Conference. They ended the regular season with a 27-7 overall record and a 14-7 conference record. Recently, they won against Texas Tech and Arizona State but lost a close game to Arizona. Last postseason, they won their first-round game but lost in the second round to Ole Miss.
Iowa State Preview
The Iowa State Cyclones are ranked #6 in the AP poll. They play in the Big 12 Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they won against Lipscomb in the first round but lost to Ole Miss in the second round.
During the 2026 regular season, the Cyclones had a strong record of 27-7. Their conference record was 14-7. They had some impressive wins, including a 49-point victory over Arizona State.
In recent games, the Cyclones had a close loss to Arizona, 82-80. Milan Momcilovic scored 28 points in that game. They also had a big win against Texas Tech, 75-53, with Joshua Jefferson scoring 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.
The Cyclones’ offense averaged 81.8 points per game, ranking 64th. They had a field goal percentage of 49.0, which was 24th. On defense, they averaged 9.0 steals per game. Key players like Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic contributed significantly to the team’s performance.
Tennessee State Preview
The Tennessee State Tigers play in the Ohio Valley Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 23-9. Their conference record was 17-5, showing strong performance within their conference.
In recent games, the Tigers had a big win against Morehead State Eagles with a score of 93-67. Dante Harris scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Antoine Lorick III also contributed 18 points in that game.
The Tigers also won against UT Martin Skyhawks twice. At home, they won 68-55, with Aaron Nkrumah scoring 19 points. Away, they secured a 67-42 victory, with Nkrumah again leading with 20 points.
The team averages 80.5 points per game, ranking 88th. They have a field goal percentage of 46.0 and make 16.3 free throws per game. Defensively, they average 9.4 steals and 3.6 blocks per game.
Statistical Breakdown for Iowa State vs Tennessee State
The game between Iowa State Cyclones and Tennessee State Tigers will be influenced by key stats. Iowa State’s offense averages 81.8 points per game, while Tennessee State averages 80.5 points. Iowa State has a higher field goal percentage at 49.0 compared to Tennessee State’s 46.0. Defensively, Tennessee State averages 9.4 steals per game, slightly more than Iowa State’s 9.0. These stats could play a role in the outcome.
- Iowa State Cyclones Points Per Game: 81.8 (64th)
- Tennessee State Tigers Points Per Game: 80.5 (88th)
- Iowa State Cyclones Field Goal Percentage: 49.0 (24th)
- Tennessee State Tigers Field Goal Percentage: 46.0 (140th)
- Iowa State Cyclones Steals Per Game: 9.0
- Tennessee State Tigers Steals Per Game: 9.4
Betting Insights
As the Tennessee State Tigers prepare to meet the Iowa State Cyclones, bettors have several trends to consider. Tennessee State has been strong against the spread, especially when favored. Iowa State has a solid record both straight up and against the spread, particularly as favorites. Below are the top betting trends for this game.
- Tennessee State is 9-4 ATS as a favorite.
- Tennessee State has hit the over in 65.5% of all games.
- Iowa State is 22-5 SU as a favorite.
- Iowa State is 19-14 ATS in all games.
- Tennessee State is 17-13-3 ATS in all games.
Free Betting Prediction for Iowa State vs Tennessee State
The Iowa State Cyclones enter the game as the favorite. Their strong offense, averaging 81.8 points per game, gives them an edge. Key players like Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson have been performing well. Their recent games show they can score and defend effectively.
The Tennessee State Tigers have shown they can compete, with an average of 80.5 points per game. They have been strong in their conference. Players like Dante Harris and Aaron Nkrumah have been key contributors. However, facing a top-ranked team like Iowa State will be a challenge.
Considering the stats and recent performances, Iowa State is likely to win. Their higher field goal percentage and strong defense could make the difference. Tennessee State might struggle against Iowa State’s offensive power.
- Our Free Prediction: Iowa State -24.5
