Virginia vs. Iowa State Prediction – Who’s Got Next
Virginia vs. Iowa State prediction and preview. Who’s Got Next analyzes the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 matchup between the Cavaliers and Cyclones.
Virginia vs. Iowa State prediction and preview. Who’s Got Next analyzes the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 matchup between the Cavaliers and Cyclones.
How they got here
Virginia beat No. 16 Hampton 81-45 in the first round, beat No. 9 Butler 77-69 in the second round; Iowa State beat No. 13 Iona 94-81 in the first round, beat No. 12 Arkansas-Little Rock 78-61 in second round
Why Virginia will win
This game is going to be a great clash of styles, and Virginia is at its best when it is playing in the halfcourt game and being patient on offense. That doesn’t mean the Cavaliers like to grind it out. Tony Bennett’s teams are about making the extra pass and not forcing things. Malcolm Brogdon is a star at guard, and his do-everything game is going to be the perfect counter to Iowa State’s Georges Niang. They may play different positions, but their battle will be fun to watch. London Perrantes is a great point guard who doesn’t make many mistakes, and forward Anthony Gill is a banger on the block who will give Iowa State fits. Defensively, the Cavaliers rare allow a team to push the tempo, and they will make the Cyclones work hard every possession.
Why Iowa State will win
Iowa State hasn’t exactly had a tough road to the Sweet 16, easily dispatching Iona in the first round before taking out Arkansas-Little Rock, a 12-seed upset victor, in the second round. No matter who they play, the Cyclones can beat teams inside and out, and they do it behind the leadership of forward Georges Niang. Niang can rebound, he can score in the post, he can knock down the open three and hits the glass. He does a bit of everything, and he’ll have to stay out of foul trouble and remain on the floor if ISU is going to win. Guards Monte Morris and Matt Thomas provide plenty of balance in the backcourt, and they help keep opponents from sagging on ISU’s bigs. The Cyclones were great at limiting turnovers in the first two rounds of the tournament, and they’ve been efficient on offense. Iowa State is willing to get into shootouts, but they can’t lose too much focus defensively and get to the Elite Eight.
Virginia vs. Iowa State Prediction
Iowa State wants to run, and UVA will be more than happy to get into an up-and-down game as long as it is on their terms. That means that if ISU isn’t going to play tight defense, the Cavaliers will take the open shot and not try to draw the game out. Virginia has more balance to the offense and make fewer mistakes, and Virginia will come out on top.
Virginia vs. Iowa State Final Score Prediction: Virginia 79, Iowa State 71
