North Dakota State will be in Ames tonight for the final tune up before Thursday night’s showdown with the Hawkeyes in Iowa City. Let’s check out what we have in store for the game tonight.

Last Time Out

The Cyclones were in Hilton Coliseum to take on the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks. Tyrese Haliburton poured in sixteen first half points on 6-7 shooting from the field. Talen Horton-Tucker scored 14 points while adding 5 steals. Marial Shayok was also 6-6 from the free as Iowa State took down Nebraska-Omaha 82-55.

This was the last game that Iowa State would be without Cameron Lard and Zoran Talley as Steve Prohm confirmed they will both return. Lindell Wigginton will continue to be sideline through at least the Iowa game.

About North Dakota State

The Bison are 0-5 all-time vs the Cyclones, with the last meeting coming on Dec. 1, 2015, at Hilton Coliseum. North Dakota State was picked to finish fifth in The Summit League this season.

NDSU junior guard Tyson Ward was voted to the preseason All-Summit League second team. Ward is NDSU’s top returning scorer, and he led the Bison in rebounding as a sophomore last season, but is currently the team’s third leading scorer.

KenPom ranks North Dakota State as the 224th best team in the country, boasting an average offense, and a defense that ranks in the 300’s. They use around 9 players that contribute in the scoring column in some sort of fashion. The Bison are currently 2-6 and the year and their last game they fell to Drake in Minneapolis by a score of 95-88.

Opponent Player To Watch

Vinnie Shahid. The junior guard is the Bison’s leading scorer through 8 games this season. Shahid averages 11 points per game while shooting 38% from the field and 29% from 3pt range. North Dakota State does not boast a ton of scorers and right no he appears to be the man they are going to. Against Drake Shahid scored 29 points, five makes from deep.

What To Expect

This will have to be the game Steve Prohm messes with the rotation. Adding in two more bodies to the mix certainly will make things interesting for a team that appears to be playing well with one another. Chemistry is going to be huge. I expect the Cyclones to run away with this one, but most eyes will be on Cameron Lard and Zoran Talley and how well they gel with the rest of the team on the floor. Cyclones Roll.

Iowa State- 89 North Dakota State - 56

Pick Three

1- Terrence Lewis Triple Double (yeah, I see your comments every game, loyal readers)

2- Cameron Lard scores 10

3- Tyrese Haliburton 4 makes shots from deep

Game Notes

The Matchup: Iowa State (6-1, 0-0 Big 12) vs. North Dakota State (2-6, 0-0 SUMMIT)

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

When: Monday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m. (CST)

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

Webcast: Cyclones.tv

Sirius/XM/Internet: NA/199/953 (internet)

Live Stats: Cyclonestats.com