Last Time Out

Have we wrote this at all this year? Things did not go well AT ALL at Baylor on Saturday. Iowa State led by two entering the half at Waco and then the wheels fell off. The Cyclones were outscored 51-35 in the second half, and Lindell Wigginton fell completely off the stat sheet soon followed the rest of the team. Iowa State remained winless on the road in Big 12 play.

About Texas Tech

Chris Beard’s Red Raiders currently sit in a first place tie in the Big 12 with Kansas. They are ranked 7th in the country and are playing great basketball as of late. This will be a tough test for Iowa State especially without Nick Babb and Hans Brase. To add on, they have yet to lose a game at home this season.

Texas Tech is averaging over 76 points a game, while only giving up 63 points per game. Since we last played Texas Tech, they have fallen to 228th in the country in offensive tempo while their defense restsat third best in the entire country. They don’t wow you in points, but they can limit what you do in a hurry.

We most certainly should expect Texas Tech to attack inside as that is their strength and Iowa State is lacking depth down low for this one. They have shown the ability to get to the free throw line often, and I expect that to continue.

Player To Watch

The answer is simple here, Keenan Evans. Every award list possible, you will most certainly see Evans’ name listed. He is having a heck of a season and is the Red Raider leading scoring with over 18 points a game. Evans is shooting nearly 50% from the field as well as 34% from deep. Iowa State will need to focus on stopping Evans if they want to have a chance. The good news for Steve Prohm, they did it once already. When Texas Tech visited Ames earlier in the year, Keenan Evans was held to 7 points, which happened to be his second lowest point total for the year.

What To Expect

Iowa State will need to limit Texas Tech’s opportunities around the rim and force the Red Raiders to make jump shots. If they can make Texas Tech live outside the paint it may give Iowa State the fuel to pull off an upset on the road. Keenan Evans, once again will have to be a must stop.

With injuries and road woes rearing their ugly head this season. I fully expect this one to not end well. Lindell Wigginton and Cameron Lard will keep the Cyclones in this one during the first half but eventually the adversity of playing on the road as a young team will take over and Keenan Evans will put down the Cyclones for a second straight loss.

Brase for impact here fellow WRNL readers. Tonight could be a long and painful one.

Texas Tech - 86 Iowa State - 69

Pick Three

1. Iowa State leads at half, but squanders it early in the second half.
2. Cameron Lard and Solomon Young are both in foul trouble, forcing Donovan Jackson to play center.
3. Jeff Beverly takes an ill-advised three.

Game Notes

Game Time: Wednesday, February 7th, 8pm

TV: ESPNU

Line: