Prizing:

1st Place: $25 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Starbucks gift card

Overview:

On Thursday, March 16th, the (23-10) Iowa State Cyclones will take on the (28-6) Nevada Wolfpack.

The Crowd:

“The Crowd” projects a final score of Iowa State 76.6 – Nevada 70.4 with an over/under of 147.1.  The Vegas line has a final score of Iowa State 80.8 – Nevada 74.8 with an over/under of 155.5.

Statistics (2016-17 season):

Point differential: Nevada +9.0 > Iowa State +8.9

Points per game: Iowa State 80.9 PPG > Nevada 80.0 PPG

Points allowed per game: Nevada 71.0 PPG > Iowa State 72.0 PPG

Field Goal Percentage Offense: Iowa State 46.9% > Nevada 45.0%

Field Goal Percentage Defense: Nevada 42.5% > Iowa State 42.8%

Three Point Percentage: Iowa State 40.2% > Nevada 38.5%

Turnovers per game: Iowa State 10.2 > Nevada 11.1

Rebounds per game: Nevada 38.9 > Iowa State 34.9

Assists per game: Nevada 16.1 > Iowa State 15.8

Summary:

Both teams enter the tournament with nine wins in their last ten games.  Iowa State was (3-5) against ranked opponents this season whereas Nevada was (0-1).  Statistically these teams are nearly even in every category but Iowa State was playing against higher level competition.  Nevada is a dangerous offensive team with five players averaging 12 or more points per game.  Cam Oliver (15.8 PPG and 8.7 RPG) is a great player and will be a first round draft pick.  For a team that has dominant interior players Nevada should score at a higher rate of efficiency than 45%.  The feeling is that either of these two teams can do major damage in the tournament.  I anticipate a high scoring game with two of the top 40 offensive teams going head to head.  Both teams really take care of the ball but Iowa State forces nearly 15 turnovers per game which could be the deciding factor.  This is a true pick ‘em game but I’ll take Iowa State because they have stronger guard play.

**LISTEN HERE** to the latest edition of “The Berger Shop” podcast, sponsored by The Crowd’s Line.  This week’s episode features an in-depth discussion talking Showtime Sports Doc on St. Anthony’s Bob Hurley with Brian Dailey.

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