PROHMBALL XXXIII: Iowa State vs. Iona NCAA Tournament Game Thread

Game Info

The Opponent: Iona Gaels (22-10)

Tip: Thursday, 1 p.m. CDT - Pepsi Center - Denver, Colorado

TV/Webcast: TBS / March Madness On Demand (Andrew Catalon - PxP, Steve Lappas - Color, Jamie Erdahl - Reporter)

Radio: Cyclone Radio Network (John Walters - PxP, Eric Heft - Color)

Iona SB Nation Site: Mid Major Madness

Getting Up to Speed

Recap: Iowa State Falls to Oklahoma in Big 12 Tournament Opener - When we last left the Cyclones, Buddy Hield went and did Buddy Hield things and led OU to a 79-76 win over ISU in the Big 12 Tourney.

Breaking Down Iowa State vs. Iona - The Gaels love to drive the lane and kick to open shooters, so limiting their driving opportunities and closing out on shooters will be key for success on defense today for Iowa State.

Iona Preview: Stats and Extreme Scenarios! - If everything in the Sunshine and Rainbows scenario would happen today, I'd be cool with that.

Iona Drew a Dream Matchup Against Iowa State - Mid Major Madness thinks the Gaels will pull the upset today.

Iona-Iowa St. Preview - A.J. English is good, in case you didn't already know.

Prediction

By now you've probably heard the major storylines for today's game. The Gaels are a very similar team to ISU - they like to get out and run when possible and are mediocre on defense. They also feature one of college basketball's best scorers in A.J. English on the perimeter.

With the loss to UAB on the minds of Georges Niang, Monte Morris, Matt Thomas, Abdel Nader, Jameel McKay and co., I can't see any way they drop today's game unless something goes drastically wrong. Look for a focused effort all game today out of the Cyclones. Iona won't be a pushover, but ISU is by far the best team they've played this year and I think having gone through a tough Big 12 slate will be what separates Iowa State in this one.

Iowa State 85 - Iona 75

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