Tavion Banks, the 6'7" guard/forward for the Iowa Hawkeyes, transferred from Drake and came over with Coach McCollum this season. He has been a reliable piece for the No. 19 Hawkeyes in the 2025-26 season. Averaging 9.6 points per game on elite 57.7% shooting, along with 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists, Banks provides efficient secondary scoring. However, his 8.5-point PrizePicks square for tonight's Big Ten road game at Minnesota is starting to look a little sketchy…

The game script screams low-scoring grind. The betting total sits at just 129.5 points, reflecting expectations of a defensive slugfest between two hot teams—Iowa enters 12-2, Minnesota on a four-game win streak. Williams Arena is one of the toughest venues in the conference, and Iowa's disciplined, balanced attack often limits their offensive possessions. Fewer possessions mean fewer opportunities for role players like Banks, who thrives on efficient but low-volume attempts rather than forcing shots.

Minnesota's defense deserves credit here. The Golden Gophers have tightened up during their recent surge, holding opponents in check while players like Cade Tyson provide versatile perimeter defense. Tyson, along with Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, can disrupt wing scorers with length and activity—exactly the kind of defender who bothers Banks' mid-range and transition game. Minnesota ranks solidly in the Big Ten for defensive efficiency in conference play, forcing opponents into tough, contested looks.

Iowa's depth and balance further cap Banks' ceiling. The Hawkeyes spread the wealth: Alvaro Folgueiras averages 9.7 points, and contributors like Bennett Stirtz, Cam Manyawu, and others ensure no single player outside the core needs to carry the offense. Banks is third or fourth in the pecking order on most nights, often seeing his touches drop in physical road environments where Iowa prioritizes rebounding (his strength) and defense over volume scoring. If anyone is going to go off for the Hawkeyes in this spot, it will be the future NBA pro Bennett Stirtz, not Tavion Banks. 

Recent trends support regression for the Iowa guard. While Banks posted 13 points in a home win over Bradley, his production has fluctuated against better competition, often landing in the 6-8 point range when the shot volume isn’t there. On the road in Big Ten play, physicality and foul trouble become risks for a player who already plays selective minutes.

Everything points to a quiet night for Banks tonight: tough venue, strong defense, low-total game, and shared offensive load. Expect Banks to finish with 8 or fewer points, making the “less than” on his 8.5 points a sharp play in what should be a rock-fight Big Ten battle. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s the most popular square on the PrizePicks CBB category as of this morning.