Updated March 8, 2026, 1:47 a.m. CT
The Iowa Hawkeyes (20-10, 10-9 Big Ten) and the No. 9 Nebraska Cornhuskers (25-5, 14-5) meet Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Iowa vs. Nebraska odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
Iowa has lost its last 2 games by a combined 5 points, most recently falling 71-68 to the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines. The Hawkeyes still covered as 9.5-point home underdogs while the Under (146.5) cashed. Iowa’s defense forced 18 turnovers, but struggled from deep, shooting just 7-of-26 from 3-point range. G Bennett Stirtz led the Hawkeyes with 21 points, while F Cam Manyawu added 14 as the only other player in double figures.
Nebraska had its 3-game win streak snapped Tuesday, falling 72-52 to the UCLA Bruins. The Cornhuskers failed to cover as 1.5-point road favorites while the Under (144.5) cashed. G Sam Hoiberg led Nebraska with 12 points, while F Rienk Mast and G Cale Jacobsen scored 11 each. Nebraska entered the game averaging 11.2 made 3-pointers per game, but UCLA’s defense held the Huskers to just 5-of-24 from beyond the arc.
The Hawkeyes have won the last 4 meetings with the Cornhuskers, including a 57-52 win Feb. 17 as a 1.5-point home favorite with the Under (139.5) cashing.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
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Iowa at Nebraska odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:52 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Iowa +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Nebraska -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Iowa +6.5 (-102) | Nebraska -6.5 (-118)
- Over/Under (O/U): 134.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Iowa at Nebraska picks and predictions
Prediction
Nebraska 73, Iowa 64
PASS.
I believe the Cornhuskers (-275) end their regular season with a home victory on Senior day in Lincoln.
BET NEBRASKA -6.5 (-118).
Nebraska looks like a solid bounce-back spot against Iowa. The Cornhuskers are coming off a tough loss to UCLA, but had won 3 of their previous 4 games, scoring at least 74 points in each of those wins. Defense is where Nebraska really separates itself. The Cornhuskers rank first in defensive efficiency in the Big Ten, forcing turnovers, rebounding well and holding opponents to just 29% shooting from 3-point range.
Iowa, meanwhile, has struggled offensively for a while now. The Hawkeyes haven’t shot better than 32.1% from deep in their last 8 games and haven’t scored more than 76 points since early February. Over the last month, Iowa is shooting just 27.8% from 3 while allowing 50% overall shooting and 42% from beyond the arc on defense.
Nebraska also has a balanced offense, shooting 37% from 3, 56.2% from 2 and 78% from the free-throw line. If this game turns into a scoring battle, Iowa hasn’t shown the offense lately to keep up.
BET UNDER 134.5 (-110).
I lean toward the Over in this matchup. Even though the first meeting this season stayed Under, the previous 7 of the 9 matchups between Iowa and Nebraska went Over the total. The trends are a bit mixed lately, which is why it’s more of a lean. Iowa is 5-5 against the total in its last 10 games, while Nebraska is 4-4 in its last 8. Nebraska’s defense can limit Iowa’s outside shooting, but the Cornhuskers should still be able to score consistently against the Hawkeyes’ defense, giving this game a good chance to creep Over the number.
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