Coming to a county fair near you, Iowa-Mizuruh Line! With their #1 hit song, “The IQ is Better in Iowa” on their current album “Leave For the SEC They Said, It Will Be Fun They Said.”

Welcome back to Cyclone Country, Tigers! This will be the first face off between these two former rivals in Ames since January 10th, 2012. And like all rivalries, you have your good games and your onslaughts. The last time the Tigers came to Ames, was, well... yeah. But what a classic match up we have on November 9th.

The Last Time Out

The Cyclones opened their season against Alabama State on November 6th at home. They never once trailed against the Hornets from the SWAC, and put on a good display for the home crowd on opening night winning the game 79-53.

The transfer from Nebraska, Michael Jacobson, led all scorers with 17 points. Wigginton, Shayok, and Haliburton all scored double figures as well. The team displayed their length and athletic ability to move the ball.

The freshman group has been highly regarded. Haliburton, THT, GC IV, and Griffin were all given minutes throughout the game and they took advantage of them. It’s positive to see these guys on the floor and finding how to mesh with the others. Throw in a transfer and experienced players, and we have a good outlook coming off of the last time out.

About Missouri

The 2017-2018 season went well for Missouri where they finished 20-13 overall and sixth in the SEC with an NCAA tourney appearance. They lost to the Florida State Seminal Vesicles in the first round, however. Will they look for another NCAA appearance this season? Maybe.

Missouri has been picked to finish in the middle of the pack of the SEC for the 2018-2019 season. Mizzou’s star Jontay Porter tore his ACL, and has been ruled out for the season, so the Tigers will need to find scoring elsewhere. Porter tested the NBA waters, but decided to come back for another year of college hoops. No matter the team, this is devastating news for a young man. This also serves as a hinderance to their 2018-2019 campaign, but do not count them out, as I can see them being a sleeper in the SEC.

Player to Watch

Mark Smith. He is a transfer from the University of Illinois that was granted eligibility only weeks ago for the 2018-19 season. Smith played in 31 games last season and averaged 5.8 PPG. This is not an alarming stat, but this season will be a chance to make a name for himself at a better Power 5 program. Smith lit it up against Central Arkansas on Tuesday, registering a double double with a game high of 19 points, going 5-8 from 3 PT.

What to Expect

Missouri has some upperclassman leadership and some developing freshman. Kind of like Iowa State, but in my opinion, not near the natural talent. Several of the Tigers have good minutes under their feet and expect them to give Iowa State a tough game. Rivalries can be reborn.

Expect Iowa State to come out with a chip on their shoulder. Almost exactly a year ago we lost in Columbia. We did not play the best when we expected to possibly win that game, but that’s in the past. We’re a different team with more experience and some fresh talent than a year ago. This game is at home with a lot of hype on the potential of our team. The football team has a home game against Baylor on Saturday, so expect the crowd to be energetic. Hell, if you are in Ames, make a weekend out of it!

This game won’t make or break either team, but it has the ability to show how they will handle the future. With the game in Hilton, expect the Cyclones to find revenge in a claw and scratch fight. The energy at Hilton will be too much for Mizzou for their welcome back fanfare. Cyclones by 10.

Iowa State - 82 Mizuruh - 72

Pick Three

1. Iowa State trails at halftime after a slow start
2. Shayok will break the glass on an ‘oop from Jacobson
3. Nick Weiler-Babb will have 8 assists

Game Notes

Where: Ames, Iowa - Hilton Coliseum (14,384)

When: Friday, November 9th, 6 p.m. (CST)

Radio: Cyclone Radio Network/TuneIn Radio Talent: John Walters (PxP), Eric Heft (Analyst)

TV: Cyclones.tv

Give us your predictions and expert analyses in the comments! Come find me in Johnny’s before the game. I’ll be wearing an ISU shirt!

Go Cyclones!