Nebraska vs Iowa Picks and Prediction – 1/8/2025

On Tuesday, the Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-2) face off against the Iowa Hawkeyes (10-4) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. Get ready for the college basketball season with our college basketball picks.

Iowa comes into this matchup on a one-game losing streak, but has won three of their last five games. In a tough 116-85 defeat against Wisconsin, Drew Thelwell stood out for the Hawkeyes by scoring 25 points. This season, Owen Freeman has been a consistent performer, averaging 16.8 points each game, making him the team's top scorer. Following closely, Payton Sandfort has been contributing significantly with an average of 15.5 points per game, placing him as the team's second-highest scorer. Additionally, Freeman dominates the boards for Iowa, pulling down an average of 6.2 rebounds per game. On the playmaking front, Brock Harding is the key facilitator for the Hawkeyes, averaging 5.8 assists per game this season. Over their last five games, Iowa has been quite prolific offensively, averaging 95.2 points per game. After the substantial 31-point loss to Wisconsin, the Hawkeyes are determined to bounce back and aim for their second conference victory. Overall, the team maintains a scoring average of 89.4 points per game throughout the season.

Nebraska enters this game on a six-game winning streak. In their recent 66-58 victory against UCLA, Brice Williams was a standout performer for the Cornhuskers, contributing 16 points to the win. This season, Williams has been a key player for Nebraska, boasting an impressive average of 19 points per game, making him the team's top scorer. Following Williams is Connor Essegian, who ranks as the second-highest scorer on the team, maintaining an average of 12.4 points per game throughout the season. The team's strength in rebounds is led by Berke Buyuktuncel, who consistently pulls down an average of 6.6 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Rollie Worster steps up as the playmaker for the Cornhuskers, leading in assists with an average of 2.8 per game. In their recent five-game stretch, Nebraska has been effective offensively, scoring an average of 71.2 points. The team aims to keep the momentum going, seeking to extend their winning streak to seven games and secure their third conference victory of the season. Overall, the Cornhuskers have been an offensive force, averaging 77.7 points per game throughout the season.

Iowa's offensive performance at home has been truly exceptional, contributing significantly to their success in winning eight out of nine home games. At their home venue, they have been scoring nearly 95 points per game, showcasing their dominant offensive capabilities. On the other hand, Nebraska's experience on the road has been mixed, with them securing one win and facing a loss in their first two away games. Their offensive play has notably lagged behind when they are not on home ground, indicating struggles in maintaining consistent scoring in away games. Look for the Hawkeyes to continue their winning streak at home. Final Score Prediction, Iowa Hawkeyes win and cover, 84-80.