The No. 10 Iowa State Cyclones (20-5) and the No. 3 Houston Cougars (22-3) square off in a Big 12 showdown on Monday at 9 p.m. ET. Houston is a 9-point favorite in the latest Iowa State vs. Houston odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 131.5 (see up-to-date odds for every game this week on our college basketball odds page). 

Before making any Iowa State vs. Houston picks, you need to check out the college basketball predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 16 of the 2023-24 season on a 136-89 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $2,500 for $100 players. It is also off to a sizzling 25-13 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen HUGE returns!

The model knows Houston senior guard L.J. Cryer continues to excel. Cryer has a great shooting touch from the perimeter as both a catch-and-shoot threat or off-the-dribble. The Texas native leads the team in scoring (15.3) while shooting 38% from downtown. In his last game, Cryer finished with 26 points and made six 3-pointers.

The model also knows Iowa State junior guard Keshon Gilbert is an athletic difference-maker in the backcourt. Gilbert gets into the lane with no problem and has solid court vision as a passer. The Missouri native logs 14.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. On Feb. 17, Gilbert notched 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Now, the model has set its sights on Iowa State vs. Houston. We can tell you the model is leaning Over on the point total, and it also says one side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations! 

Who wins Iowa State vs. Houston, and which side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the spread you should be all over, all from that's on a 25-13 roll on top-rated college basketball spread picks!