Basketball Preview: We’re Talking Kansas Pt. 2

Like this team, these previews need a shakeup. We’ve reached the second half of the double round robin, and Iowa State will likely need to match its 5-4 record from the first go around to secure their place in the NCAA Tournament. Also, beating any of the top three would be very beneficial to their case.

You all no longer need in depth previews because you’ve seen all of these teams before. So we’ll try to have some fun with it.

Nerding Out

Last Time Out

Iowa State lost its second consecutive contest and third at home this season as they fell to the West Virginia Mountaineers 85-72 for the first double digit home loss since 2013 - against Kansas in OT. Kansas followed up their impressive win at Rupp Arena with a methodical takedown of second ranked Baylor in Lawrence.

Round 1

In the first matchup between thee two rivals this season, Kansas jumped out to an early lead and really prevented Iowa State from ever mounting a serious comeback on their way to a 76-72 win that never really felt as close as the final score indicated.

Matchups and Players Watch

Whenever ISU and Kansas match up, Monte Morris vs. Frank Mason and Devonte’ Graham is always a pivotal matchup. Morris held his own in the first matchup, but the All-American cannot be taken out of the game like he was on Tuesday night. Defensively, Iowa State gave up a ton of dribble penetration against the Mountaineers which led to easy dump downs for layups and dunks. Monte must stay in front of his man and limit penetration as much as possible.

Kansas absolutely murdered ISU on the glass in Ames. Matt Thomas and Deonte Burton are both giving up at least 4” against Sviatoslav Mykailiuk and Josh Jackson. Both Cyclones will have to work their tails off on the glass to limit second chance opportunities. Again, a lot of times rebounding struggles because guys have to help on penetration and are effectively out of position to get rebounds, but they must focus getting to as many rebounds as possible. Svi and Jackson outrebounded Thomas and Burton 14-5 in Ames.

How much will Solomon Young play? With the suspension of Darrell Bowie, will Prohm opt to go small instead of subbing Young for Holden or will a rebounding disadvantage force Prohm to play Young for extended minutes in one of the toughest atmospheres in college football? We can’t pretend to have any pattern to go off of here, as rotations have been inconsistent, but it’s something to watch.

A Word and a GIF Summary

Today’s word: Three

Iowa State will need to take and make a lot of threes to keep up, as Kansas should have no problem scoring when they get the ball in the post. Iowa State could also be facing their first three-game losing streak of the Prohm tenure, and first since January of 2014. Lastly, there’s a case to be made that the Cyclones can afford no more than three losses the rest of the regular season to finish 10-8 in conference and keep NCAA hopes alive with the lack of signature wins.

Today’s GIF:

Pick 3

1. Iowa State makes double digit 3’s
2. Iowa State gets outrebounded by 10+
3. Kansas turns it over <15 times

Iowa State - 66; #3 Kansas - 78

Game Notes

Game Time: Saturday, February 4th, 1:00 p.m. CST

Line Open: Kansas (-10); O/U (153)

The Foe: Rock Chalk Talk

TV/Webcast: ESPN/WatchESPN (Bob Wischusen, Fran Fraschilla)

Radio: Cyclone Radio Network/TuneIn Radio App (John Walters, Eric Heft)

Cyclones.com Game Notes: Available here