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If the Sprint Center wasn’t ‘Hilton South’ yesterday, it certainly will be today after Iowa State took care of business against Oklahoma State, and TCU upset the top-seeded Jayhawks of Kansas.
TCU had lost its last seven games heading into the Big 12 Tournament, but have now won back-to-back games over Oklahoma and Kansas with an offense that seems to be clicking at the right time.
Iowa State vs. TCU by the Numbers
| Iowa State | TCU | |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa State | TCU | |
| AP Ranking | 23 | NA |
| Season Record | 21-10 (12-6) | 19-14 (6-12) |
| Home/Away | 12-3 / 9-7 | 13-6 / 6-8 |
| Series Record | 10-6 | 6-10 |
| Series in Kansas City | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Via Kenpom (3/9) | ||
| Overall Ranking | 21 | 35 |
| Adjusted Offense | 16 | 39 |
| Adjusted Defense | 43 | 49 |
| 2P% | 50.4% (123) | 52.2% (60) |
| 3P% | 40.2% (11) | 35.8% (139) |
| FT% | 70.0% (180) | 68.7% (232) |
| EFG% | 54.3% (35) | 52.7% (75) |
Last Time Out
The Iowa State Cyclones won their 10th consecutive game overall and 3rd this season over the Oklahoma State Cowboys to even the all-time series at 63-63.
Shortly after that game, the TCU Horned Frogs notched their first win over a #1 team in school history as they took down the Jayhawks 85-82.
Rounds 1 and 2
These two teams split the regular season series with the Frogs winning in Fort Worth, and the Cyclones holding serve at home.
Matchups and Players to Watch
In yesterday’s game, I thought Iowa State’s bigs had to do a good job defending the Oklahoma State bigs in space. For the most part they were able to do that with a solid defensive effort and by pushing the tempo. Getting some big time minutes from Darrell Bowie didn’t hurt either.
For this game I’m going to be watching TCU’s guards. I’ve said it before that Iowa State gets in trouble defensively when the guards can’t stop dribble penetration. TCU has had success against Iowa State when Jaylen Fisher and Alex Robinson have been able to get into the lane to either score or make an easy pass to guys like Vladimir Brodziansky.
Fisher and Robinson combined for 18 assists in Fort Worth and 11 in Ames (mostly in the first half). If Monte Morris and Nazareth Mitrou-Long can stay in front of their counterparts, Iowa State should have enough firepower offensively to pull away. If they can’t, this one could come down to the wire.
A Word and a GIF Summary
Today’s Word: Consistency
Ever since the game in Austin, Iowa State has done a fairly good job at playing to their potential rather than to the level of their opponent. TCU is a good team, and if Iowa State takes them lightly they’ll find themselves in a hole. Consistent effort, especially defensively, will go a long way toward getting the Cyclones into the final.
Today’s GIF:
Pick 3
- Monte Morris gets that elusive triple double
- Solomon Young records more blocks than fouls
- Iowa State forces more than 15 turnovers
#23 Iowa State — 81; TCU — 72
Game Notes
Game Time: Friday, March 10th, 6:00 p.m. CST
Line Open: Iowa State (-3); O/U (Unavailable at this time)
The Foe: Frogs O’ War
TV/Webcast: ESPN2/WatchESPN (Bob Wischusen, Fran Fraschilla, Holly Rowe)
Radio: Cyclone Radio Network/TuneIn Radio App (John Walters, Eric Heft)
Cyclones.com Game Notes: Unavailable (Tournament Central)