Iowa State vs NC Central GameThread

What: NCAA Tournament Second Round: Iowa State (26-7) vs North Carolina Central (28-5)

When: ~9:00 PM CDT

Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

TV: TNT

TV Talent: Marv Albert (PxP), Steve Kerr (Color), Craig Sager (Reporter)

Radio: Cyclone Radio Network

Radio Talent: John Walters (PxP), Eric Heft (Enjoying his Lone Star Color)

Game Notes

SBN NC Central Blog

Iowa State returns to the tournament for the third straight year under coach Fred Hoiberg but finds itself in unfamiliar territory: a favorite.

The Cyclones come in as the lowest ranked 3 seed, which amounts to a 12th nationally ranking and is playing a North Carolina Central team that has not lost since January and had only one conference loss this season. The Eagles boast the 5th most efficient defense in the country but achieved that ranking by playing in one of the worst offensive conferences. KenPom ranked the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference 31st out of 33 conferences, and one of those lower ranked conferences were a small set of Independents.

NC Central will attempt to slow down the game and grind out shots on both ends of the floor and will do so through do everything guard Jeremy Ingram. Ingram is 59th nationally in percentage of his teams shots, but only 431st in KenPom's offensive rating. So as Ingram goes, so does NC Central.

Iowa State's Big Three look to continue their tear from last week in Kansas City and will finally have the opportunity to do so against an opponent that has yet to see them this year.

The winner of this game will draw North Carolina after their thrilling 79-77 win over Providence. Sunday's game time will be announced overnight.

Strap in for what is sure to be a tight contest between two teams with contrasting styles.