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USATSI

The sixth-seeded Iowa State Cyclones are looking for yet another deep NCAA Tournament run when they face the 11th-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers in Midwest Region first-round action on Friday. The Cyclones (19-13, 9-9 Big 12), who have a 14-7 all-time record in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, reached the Sweet 16 last season before falling to Miami. The Panthers (23-11, 14-6 ACC), who beat Mississippi State 60-59 in Tuesday's First Four matchup, have advanced to the second round in seven of the past nine trips to the tournament. Pittsburgh last played in the tournament in 2016 when it lost in the first round to Wisconsin 47-43.

Tipoff from Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C., is set for 3:10 p.m. ET. Pitt leads the all-time series 1-0. The Cyclones are 5-point favorites in the latest Pittsburgh vs. Iowa State odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 131.5. Before locking in any Iowa State vs. Pittsburgh picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and March Madness betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. The model enters the 2023 NCAA Tournament 79-53 on all-top rated college basketball picks this season, returning nearly $1,300 for $100 players. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Iowa State vs. Pitt and just locked in its picks and NCAA Tournament 2023 predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college basketball odds and betting lines for Pitt vs. Iowa State:

  • Pittsburgh vs. Iowa State spread: Iowa State -5
  • Pittsburgh vs. Iowa State over/under: 131.5 points
  • Pittsburgh vs. Iowa State money line: Pittsburgh +185, Iowa State -220
  • PITT: The Panthers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five Friday games
  • ISU: The Cyclones are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 neutral site games
  • Pittsburgh vs. Iowa State picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why Iowa State can cover

Senior center Osun Osunniyi is a key part of the Cyclones' success. In 32 games, including 29 starts, the St. Bonaventure transfer is averaging 8.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. He is connecting on 58.5% of his field goals and is a 67.7% free-throw shooter. He scored a season-high 17 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out three assists and had two blocks in an 81-79 overtime win over Villanova on Nov. 24.

Freshman guard Tamin Lipsey continues to impress. In last week's Big 12 Conference Tournament quarterfinal win over Baylor, Lipsey scored 13 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, had five steals and dished out five assists. It was his first double-double of his collegiate career and the 11th time he scored in double figures. In 32 games, all starts, he is averaging 7.4 points, 4.5 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals in 29.3 minutes.

Why Pittsburgh can cover

Junior forward Blake Hinson is one of four Panthers averaging double-digit scoring. He is averaging 15.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Hinson is also connecting on 43% of his field goals, including 38.7% from 3-point range. The transfer from Ole Miss, has also recorded five double-doubles, including a 25-point and 13-rebound performance at Syracuse on Dec. 20.

Senior guard Jamarius Burton has started 32 games and is averaging 15.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and nearly one steal per game. He has registered three double-doubles, including a 14-point and 10-rebound effort in a 99-82 win over Syracuse on Feb. 25. He also scored 19 points and grabbed 10 boards in a 71-68 victory over Miami on Jan. 28. He has reached double-figure scoring in 28 games, including four with 20 or more and one with 30 or more.

How to make Pitt vs. Iowa State picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 139 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time. You can get the model's pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Iowa State vs. Pitt? And which side hits well over 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college basketball picks, and find out.