Once Upon A Time In Las Vegas – Divisional Round
The Iowa State Cyclones head to Oklahoma on Saturday to take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in a Big 12 Conference clash. The Cyclones are ranked 12th in the country and come in with a record of 14-3 on the season. They are 5-1 in conference play thus far this season. Oklahoma State is 10-8 on the season and 2-4 in conference play this season. The opening tap for this Big 12 matchup is scheduled for 2:00 pm EST.
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The Iowa State Cyclones have continued their stellar play from last season, when the Cyclones moved from a bottom dweller in the conference to one of the conference's top teams. The Cyclones head into this matchup with just one loss in Big 12 play thus far, a two-point loss at Kansas. On Tuesday night, Iowa State bounced back with a 78-67 win over 7th ranked Texas at home. Iowa State had four players in double figures in the victory. Jaren Holmes led the team with 21 points as part of a Cyclones' attack that had just seven turnovers in the win. The victory over the 7th ranked Longhorns represents the team's fourth victory over a ranked opponent this season.
“The first 10 minutes, they were the aggressor. I felt like on both ends, we usually set the tone, with our defensive ball pressure and intensity. For whatever reason, we didn’t do a great job of that, those first 10 minutes. We stressed w ho we are and how we do things, and then, as we started to turn them over, and pressure them, obviously the offense and the game came our way.
That last 30 minutes, how we played defensively, is who we are, and how we need to play.” Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger after the win.
It's Always Grillin' Season. #Cyclones | #C5C pic.twitter.com/A2hshgqTH3
— Iowa State Men's Basketball (@CycloneMBB) January 18, 2023
The Cyclones have continued to thrive with one of the nation's best defenses. Iowa State is ranked 7th in the country in points allowed per game. The team is 32nd in defensive field goal percentage and 32nd in 3pt field goal defense. The Cyclones are vulnerable on the boards, ranked just 224th in the country. They are above average in turnovers per game, ranking 137th in the country. Offensively, the Cyclones have the 149th ranked scoring offense in the country. They are 64th in field goal percentage and 80th in the nation in 3pt field goal percentage.
Key Injuries: F Aljaz Kunc remains out indefinitely. He is averaging over eight points per game for Iowa State.