Iowa State will head down to Waco to take on a Baylor team that isn’t the Baylor of old as of right now. Iowa State will look to start Big 12 play 3-0 for the first time in a long time. Let’s take a look at what we have coming up this evening.
Last Time Out
Iowa State took care of business on Saturday dismantling the Kansas Jayhawks 77-60 in front of a raucous crowd in Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones shot 52% from deep, Marial Shayok was a huge component to that going 5-5 from 3pt range. Shayok led the way for all Cyclones scorers with 24 as he continues to lead the Big 12 in scoring. Tyrese Haliburton continued to grow his legend as a Cyclones, adding 14 of his own, as well as a few key 3pt shots.
About Baylor
The Baylor Bears had their 2-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 8-5 (0-1 Big-12) on the season after being defeated by the TCU Horned Frogs, 85-81, this past Saturday. Baylor fought back from a 19-point 2nd half deficit to make it a one point game late, however, TCU was able to seal the game after a JD Miller free-throw with :05 seconds left in regulation made it a 4-point game. Baylor allowed TCU to shoot 56.6% from the field & 42.9% from beyond the arc in the loss. Leading the way for the Bears was Tristan Clark, who had 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, and a steal.
On the season, Baylor is averaging 71 ppg on 45.3% shooting from the field. The Bears are averaging 6.3 three-pointers per game on 28.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Defensively, Baylor is holding their opponents to an average of 62.3 ppg on 39.6% shooting from the field. The Bears have a rebound margin of 6.2 and a turnover margin of 0.6.
Opponent Player To Watch
Much like the Kansas game, Iowa State will have to deal with another presence in the post. Tristan Clark, the 6-9 forward, is the leading scorer for the Bears. Clark averages just over 14 points a game and adds just over 6 rebounds per game. Iowa State proved they can defend well in the paint against Kansas without minimal doubles and low actions. Michael Jacobson and Cameron Lard will have to come up huge once again to keep Tristan Clark and the Baylor Bears uncomfortable.
What Will Happen
Iowa State showed everyone in college basketball that they’re for real this season after an impressive showing against the Kansas. The Cyclones have been solid on both ends of the court this season, and come into this game ranked 37th in both scoring offense & defense. Baylor has won just 3 of their last 6 games and can struggle on the offensive end. However, this is a team that can keep themselves in games as their defense ranks 21st in scoring defense, 38th in defensive FG%.
Iowa State will get their opportunities on the offensive end if they can get out in front of the Baylor defense, so their ability to find and make those jump shots will be key once again. The Cyclones will have to pick up where they left of on Saturday against Kansas, and need to shoot above 40% if they’re going to keep Baylor on their toes.
In the end, I think Iowa State has too much. Baylor is always good defensively, but Iowa State has way too much firepower, and everything just seems to be setting up well for this Iowa State team. I don’t think this will be as clean of a win as it was on Saturday, given this one is on the road, but road wins are not supposed to be easy. Give me Iowa State in this one, but it will feel tense at times.
Iowa State - 78 Baylor - 70
Pick Three
1- Tyrese Haliburton knocks down 4 three pointers
2- Marial Shayok scores 20
3- Iowa State gets out-rebounded
Game Notes
The Matchup: Iowa State (12-2, 2-0 Big 12) vs. Baylor (8-5, 0-1 Big 12)
Where: Waco, Texas - Ferrell Center (10,347)
When: Tuesday, Jan. 8, 6 p.m. (CST)
Radio: Cyclone Radio Network/TuneIn Radio Talent: John Walters (PxP), Eric Heft (Analyst)
TV: ESPNEWS Talent: Kevin Connors (PxP), Chris Spatola (Analyst)
Webcast: WatchESPN
Sirius/XM/Internet: 99*/383/974 (internet) *BU Broadcast
Live Stats: Cyclonestats.com