Posted at 11:00 AM EST. Odds are subject to change.

Nebraska -1½ -110 over Iowa

Toyota Center -Houston, TX

7:30 PM EST. Iowa comes into this matchup with a solid overall profile, but they’re not exactly a team that overwhelms you offensively. They shoot efficiently and take care of the basketball, but the pace and scoring output can be inconsistent, which tends to keep games tighter than they should be. Defensively, Iowa has been respectable, limiting scoring and doing enough to stay competitive, but they don’t impose themselves physically or dictate tempo against stronger, more balanced opponents. That leaves them vulnerable in games where execution becomes the deciding factor.

Nebraska brings a more complete and reliable approach into this one. They’ve shown they can win in different ways, whether it’s through efficient offense or by locking in defensively and grinding games out. What stands out is their balance—they move the ball well, protect possessions, and have been one of the more disciplined teams in the tournament. Even in tighter games, Nebraska has found ways to control key stretches, and their ability to execute late has been a major reason they’ve advanced this far.

Nebraska’s consistency gives them the edge. Iowa can hang around, but trusting them to out-execute a team that values possessions and plays a cleaner brand of basketball is a tougher sell. Nebraska has been the steadier side, especially against comparable competition, and in what should be a competitive, back-and-forth game, that reliability matters. Laying a short number with the Cornhuskers is the best angle, as they look better equipped to control the tempo and close it out.

Take advantage of BET365's early NFL payout offer

Bet365 Early Payout – How It Works

Straight Bets:

If the team you back to win goes up by the designated number of points at any time during the game, BET365 will pay out your bet in full immediately, even if the opposing team later comes back and wins the game.

Parlays & Same Game Parlays:
If a team you’ve selected goes up by the designated number of points that selection will be marked as WON in My Bets. Any remaining legs of the parlay will continue to run as normal.

Once a selection is marked as won under the Early Payout rules, it cannot be reversed, regardless of what happens later in the game.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------