PROHMBALL XXXI: Iowa State at Kansas GameThread

Game Info

The Opponent: Kansas Jayhawks (26-4, 14-3) (AP Rank: 1)

Tip: Saturday, 3 PM CST - Allen Fieldhouse - Lawrence, KS

TV/Webcast: ESPN/WatchESPN (John Sciambi - PxP, Fran Fraschilla - Color, Holly Rowe - Reporter)

Radio: Cyclone Radio Network (John Walters - PxP, Eric Heft - Knee Deep in Free State's Ad Astra Ale Color)

Kansas SB Nation Site: Rock Chalk Talk

Getting Up to Speed

Seniors Lead Cyclones to Victory Over Oklahoma State - Georges Niang, Abdel Nader, and Jameel McKay said goodbye to Hilton Coliseum on Monday night with all three turning in performances worthy of their final game in Hilton as Iowa State held on for a 58-50 victory over Oklahoma State.

We're Talking Kansas - cylentbutdeadly gives his ode to Perry Ellis and talks about what the Cyclones need to do to come out of Lawrence with a win.

Rock Chalk Talk: Kansas - Iowa State Preview - The guys at RCT give a fair assessment of Iowa State and predict a close game this afternoon.

Prediction

When ESPN put this game on the schedule as the highlight of the final regular season day in the Big XII they did so in anticipation of the matchup deciding the Big XII conference race. That ship sailed sometime in early February but that doesn't make this game any less exciting.

Iowa State has won four of their last five against Kansas and is looking for that marquee road win to improve their seeding in the NCAA Tournament. Kansas, having now won or shared 12 straight conference championships, is looking like the best version of Bill Self's program since the 2008 squad that won the national championship in San Antonio.

The Cyclones come in to this game playing with house money. They have a long shot at moving off the 6-seed line in next week's Big 12 Tournament and are just looking for a chance to gain some confidence and beat their biggest rival in their house on Senior Night. There is absolutely nothing to lose for this Iowa State squad and that should lead to some fun basketball.

However, Kansas is just on another level right now. After demolishing Texas on Monday night they look like the team everyone expected them to be earlier in the season and they simply do not lose in their own house. Expect a fun back and forth game as Self isn't afraid to run against Iowa State. Cyclones hold tight but wilt late behind the issues that have plagued them most of the season on the road: depth and foul trouble.

Kansas 87, Iowa State 78

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