Iowa State Cyclones vs Creighton Bluejays Picks and Prediction - November 25, 2025
It's the Players Era Championship in Las Vegas, on Tuesday afternoon, and we have an Iowa State vs Creighton prediction ready to rock and roll. Iowa State comes in off an 83-82 win over St John's yesterday to move to 5-0 on the year. Creighton is off to an 81-74 loss to Baylor, which dropped them to 3-2 on the season. Continue reading to see our Iowa State vs Creighton prediction.
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Iowa State Wins A Close One
Iowa State improved to 5-0 after a nail-biting 83-82 win over St. John’s on November 24 at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. The Cyclones leaned on their stars late, with Tamin Lipsey scoring 16 points and Joshua Jefferson adding 17, while Milan Momcilovic chipped in key baskets down the stretch. Iowa State shot 52% from the field and held off a furious Red Storm rally in the final minutes, surviving thanks to clutch free throws and defensive stops. It was their closest game of the season, but it showed the grit of a team that has been rolling offensively.
Lipsey has been the engine all year, averaging 18.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.2 steals per game, while Jefferson matches him with 18.4 points and 7.8 rebounds. we do note that Lipsey left Monday's win with an injury. Momcilovic has been a reliable third option, hitting 46% from three and averaging 16.8 points per game. Blake Buchanan adds interior toughness, shooting nearly 70% from the floor. Iowa State’s offense has been explosive, ranking fifth nationally at 116.3 points per game, and they’ve done it with balance — multiple players capable of carrying the load on any given night.
Defensively, the Cyclones have been shakier, allowing 82.8 points per game, but their ability to force turnovers and push tempo has masked those lapses. Lipsey’s ball pressure and Jefferson’s rebounding have been critical, though the team still struggles to defend the perimeter consistently. Against Creighton, Iowa State’s challenge will be slowing down the Bluejays’ shooters while maintaining their own offensive rhythm. If they can keep the pace high and continue to share the ball, the Cyclones have the firepower to stay unbeaten.
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The Bluejays Fight Hard But Come Up Short
Creighton fell to 3-2 after an 81-74 loss to Baylor on November 24 in their Players Era Festival opener. The Bluejays battled back from a double-digit deficit, tying the game three times in the second half, but couldn’t get over the hump as Baylor dominated the offensive glass. Hudson Greer scored 16 points, Josh Dix added 15, and Nik Graves chipped in 12, but Creighton was outscored 27-7 in second-chance points, which proved decisive. Despite hitting 11 threes and showing resilience, the Bluejays couldn’t match Baylor’s physicality inside.
Creighton’s offense has been solid overall, averaging 97 points per game while shooting 45.3% from the field. Blake Harper has been a steady contributor with 12.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while Dix and Graves both average double figures and provide perimeter scoring. Owen Freeman has been efficient inside, shooting 71% from the floor and adding nearly five rebounds per game. The Bluejays rebound well as a team, ranking 20th nationally, but their shooting from deep has been inconsistent at just 29.1% from three, which has limited their ability to stretch defenses.
Defensively, Creighton has struggled, giving up 88 points per game and ranking near the bottom nationally in rebounding defense. Opponents are shooting 43.3% from the field against them, and while they’ve been decent at defending the three at 31.2% allowed, their inability to finish possessions has hurt. Against Iowa State, Creighton will need to tighten up on the boards and limit turnovers, as the Cyclones thrive in transition. If Harper and Freeman can control the paint and Graves finds his rhythm from deep, the Bluejays have the tools to make this matchup competitive despite their recent setback.
Iowa State vs Creighton Pick
Iowa State vs Creighton Spread Pick
- Creighton +8 (4 Units)
Creighton +8 feels like a strong position given how competitive the Bluejays have been, even in losses. They average 97 points per game and rebound at a top‑20 national clip with 45.5 boards per contest, which helps them hang around against more explosive teams. Josh Dix and Nik Graves both provide double‑digit scoring, while Blake Harper adds balance with 12.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Owen Freeman has been highly efficient inside, shooting 71% from the floor, and that kind of interior presence can keep Creighton from getting overwhelmed. Even against Baylor, they showed resilience by clawing back multiple times, and that fight makes them dangerous as an underdog.
On the other side, Iowa State has been rolling offensively, but their defense has been shaky, allowing 82.8 points per game and ranking outside the top 200 nationally. Creighton’s ability to rebound and generate second‑chance opportunities could expose that weakness, especially if Harper and Freeman control the paint. The Bluejays also defend the three well, holding opponents to 31.2%, which is key against an Iowa State team that thrives on perimeter shooting. With their balanced scoring, strong rebounding, and defensive discipline, Creighton has the tools to keep this matchup close, making the +8 spread look like solid value.
Iowa State vs Creighton Over/Under Pick
- Under 151.5 (5 Units)
The Under 151.5 makes sense here because while Iowa State has been explosive offensively, averaging 116 points per game, their pace tends to slow against disciplined opponents, and Creighton has the rebounding strength to limit second‑chance looks. The Bluejays average 97 points per game but shoot just 29% from three, which keeps their scoring ceiling lower than their raw totals suggest. Both defenses allow points but force contested shots — Iowa State holds opponents to 42% shooting, while Creighton defends the perimeter at 31% allowed. With rebounding battles likely to grind possessions and neither team overly efficient from deep, this matchup projects to stay under the 151.5 total.
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