College Basketball Knowledge
Iowa State's Bryce Desean-Jones (suspension) is out here; he averages 17 ppg. Cyclones won four of last five games with Iowa, but lost four of last five visits to Iowa City- home side won 10 of last 11 series games. 8-2 Hawkeyes are 1-2 vs top 100 teams, winning at North Carolina, but lost to Texas/Syracuse on neutral floors. First true road game for State squad that won its last three games, all by 17+ points- they split pair of neutral floor games, beating Alabama, losing to Maryland by 9.
Armadillosports.com
Hawkeyes, Cyclones meet up
By Sportsbook.ag
IOWA STATE CYCLONES (6-1) at IOWA HAWKEYES (8-2)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Iowa -6, Total: 140
No. 14 Iowa State looks to get a big rivalry win on Friday night when it visits Iowa.
The Cyclones (3-3 ATS) have averaged 88.0 PPG during a three-game win streak (1-1 ATS), while the Hawkeyes (3-4 ATS) have won six consecutive games (2-2 ATS) since back-to-back losses to teams that were ranked at the time (Texas and Syracuse). Iowa scored just 60.0 PPG in those two defeats, but has averaged 78.2 PPG during its win streak. ISU was able to win the meeting last season between these two teams, coming back from a seven-point halftime deficit to win 85-82. Neither team shot the ball well from threes (Iowa 23.5%, Iowa State 35.3%), while the Hawkeyes dominated the glass, 49-35. It was a battle of power forwards, as Georges Niang (24 points and five rebounds) and Aaron White (25 points and 17 rebounds) both had huge games.
The Cyclones have won four of the past five meetings in the series. Iowa State is also 18-7 ATS in the past three seasons when playing only its second game in eight days. Iowa is 19-4 ATS after allowing 30 points or less in the first half in two straight games over the past three seasons. While there are no significant injuries for either team, ISU will be missing starting SG Bryce Dejean-Jones (17.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.3 APG) who was arrested on Wednesday night and suspended for this game.
Every year under Fred Hoiberg it seems like Iowa State score the ball as well as any team in college basketball, and that is again the case this season. One of the biggest reasons for this great offense is a willingness to share the ball, ranking 9th in the nation in assists (18.6 APG). The extra pass sets up easier scoring opportunities for the Cyclones team averaging 83.6 PPG (13th in nation) and 22nd in shooting (49% FG). Leading the way for Iowa State is PF Georges Niang (18.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.3 APG), who is one of the more complete power forwards in college basketball. He has the ability to make plays from the perimeter, making him very difficult to guard. He is able to pull the opposing big man out to the three-point line with his shooting (38% threes), and that opens up driving lanes for SF Dustin Hogue (11.6 PPG, 58% FG, 3.1 RPG). Hogue is 6-foot-6 with the ability to finish at the rim as well as anybody in the Big 12. While the ball movement has been a staple of the Iowa State offense, it is the ability to hit from deep that separates the Cyclones from most other teams. SG Naz Long (11.6 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 37% threes), PG Monte Morris (10.3 PPG, 5.9 APG, 3.9 RPG) and SF Matt Thomas (7.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 41% threes) are all capable of hitting the outside shot.
Iowa has been on fire as of late, winning its past six games, including an impressive road victory at North Carolina. The Hawkeyes' offense is a solid unit, ranking 23rd in the nation in rebounding (41.2 RPG), 31st in assists (16.2 APG) and 110th in scoring (72.0 PPG). PF Aaron White (15.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.1 APG) is similar to Niang in the sense that he can play a little bit from the outside. He does not shoot the ball as well from the three-point line, but he is more than capable of taking his defender off the bounce. SF Jarrod Uthoff (12.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG) is another post player who can play from the outside, but he is more of a threat to hit from deep (39% threes).
The Hawkeyes have the guys in the frontcourt to compete with Iowa State, but they will need to get strong play from the backcourt in order to have a chance to win this game. SG Anthony Clemmons (6.1 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.8 APG) has stepped in to fill the void of Roy Devyn Marble, who was tremendous last season for the Hawkeyes. Clemmons has had some very good games this season, but also went scoreless in two of his past five contests. He has to win the battle of point guards in this game if the Hawkeyes are going to get the win.
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