Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 3/13/26

Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 3/13/26

IOWA STATE vs. ARIZONA (ARI -4.5, 143.5)

CBB ODDS, CBB PREDICTIONS, CBB PREVIEWS

COACH RICK CBB PREVIEWS

CYCLONES @ WILDCATS 3/13/26

Two of the best teams in the country meet in a Big 12 tournament semifinal. Arizona and Iowa State meet in a conference final four and don’t be surprised if one (or both) end up in the NCAA tournament Final Four in the next few weeks.

Both programs hope to make it to the Final Four. Tonight, it’s a trip to the tournament championship that is at stake when the top-seeded Wildcats and the fifth-seeded Cyclones square off in the Big 12 semifinals tonight.

Arizona is predicted to be a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament. It would likely be unofficially sealed if they beat Iowa State.

Tommy Lloyd, the coach of the Wildcats, won't be caught staring too far ahead. "It's a monster," he says, hoping to complete navigating a challenging conference tournament bracket. Regarding handling the Big 12 conference tournament, Lloyd remarked, "It's a monster." "We've been in it for two years. Every game is difficult. There are no simple games.

After defeating eighth-seeded UCF 81-59 in Thursday's quarterfinals, the Wildcats (30-2), rated No. 2 in the Top 25, have won seven straight games. The No. 7-ranked Cyclones defeated fourth-seeded Texas Tech 75-53 for their third consecutive victory. Iowa State (27-6) also won by 22 points.

During the regular season, the two teams faced eash other once, with Arizona winning 73-57 at home on March 2. In that game, Jaden Bradley, the Big 12 Player of the Year, scored 17 points for the Wildcats. Iowa State, meanwhile, was outrebounded 40–33 and shot just 29.2% from the floor and 7 of 30 from 3-point range. 

"(It's) not too long ago that we went down to Tucson," Cyclones coach T.J. Otzelberger remarked. "And you are aware that, in all honesty, we were out of striking distance for most of the second half of that game. We are aware of how excellent a team they are. They've had one of the nation's greatest regular seasons, after all."

"We'll obviously look back at that and see what worked and what didn't work and see what kind of adjustments we can make," Lloyd stated, adding that his coaching staff would examine that recent triumph while developing the game plan. "But as I mentioned, we're looking forward to the challenge. We have a lot of respect for Iowa State and their program, and I have a lot of respect for T.J. and the job that he's doing, as well as their players." We're excited about the chance."

With their 49-point victory over Arizona State in the second round on Wednesday, the Cyclones set a record for the biggest winning margin in a Big 12 tournament game. The Cyclones have won their first two games by a total of 71 points.

Joshua Jefferson scored 18 points, pulled down 13 rebounds, and dished out six assists in the in over Texas Tech. Iowa State held a 39-29 rebounding advantage over Texas Tech. Jefferson has recorded double-doubles in both tournament games thus far.

"The rebounding battle is the most important thing on the court," Jefferson stated. "I think when we do that to the highest level, we're going to come out victorious."

Against the Red Raiders, Tamin Lipsey scored 20 points and nailed four three-pointers. When Texas Tech came out strong and established a 17-5 lead, Lipsey stated there was no panic.

"Just knowing it's a long game, it's a 40-minute game," Lipsey stated. "They came out and made a few shots. However, we were aware that we would make some shots in the future. simply continued to play defense and make some shots."

Arizona was also on fire early in its first Big 12 game, taking a 35-8 lead with 7:38 remaining in the first half. Brayden Burries led the way with 21 points.

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FREE PICK: ARIZONA -3.5

Winning bettors will always get the best available number. There are still 3.5s out there at around -117 to -125. Arizona has proven it can handle Iowa State. The Wildcats outshot and outrebounded the Cyclones in their lone regular season meeting, a 73-57 Arizona win back on March 2. Arizona’s defense held ISU to 29.8% shooting from the floor and 7-of-30 from three-point range. When you talk about the nation’s best defenses, Arizona typically doesn’t come up but the Wildcats are No. 2 in the country in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency. The Wildcats have held 3 of their last 4 opponents to 61 points or less. Don’t be surprised if Arizona holds ISU below its team total of 70.5. Arizona has won 7 straight and they’ve covered 3 of their last 4 games. One of those was against this Iowa State team.

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