Holy Toledo! It’s already basketball season! Where has the year gone already? This years Iowa State basketball team is full of unknowns that possesses a very high ceiling, but also a very low floor. It’s finally time to uncover the unknowns of this Cyclone basketball team and dive completely head first into the first game against the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils.

Last Time Out

The last time we saw the Cyclones was in the NCAA tournament against Ohio State. Iowa State out-shot the Buckeyes from the floor, but were not able to overcome being out rebounded and out muscled by Kaleb Wesson.

About Mississippi Valley State

Mississippi Valley State was picked to finish dead last in the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s preseason media poll, and just so happen to be sitting dead last in KenPom’s overall ratings to start the season. This currently the worst team in America, folks.

Coming off a 6 win season a year ago, they are only projected to win 5 during the 2019-2020 season. New head coach Lindsey Hunter might be able to improve MVSU this season, but don’t expect much of a fight from the road team.

Iowa State and Mississippi Valley State are meeting for the seventh time, with the Cyclones winning all of the previous six matchups. The two last played in 2016, with Iowa State winning that matchup 88-60.

Opponent Player To Watch

New faces will be on the court this season for Mississippi Valley State. One player that is back that had some significant playing time for the Delta Devils is Michael Green. The senior guard averaged 6.6 points per game last season, but may be asked to shoulder more of the load this season.

What Will Happen

This will be intriguing game for me to watch. Not so much for the fact that Iowa State will have any trouble, but we obviously want to see how the new faces will fit into the rotations, and just how well this Cyclone team will play together in front of a crowd. I think we’ll see Tyrese Haliburton start to become more aggressive on the offensive side of things and become a scorer, rather than the pass-too-often wing we saw last season.

Iowa State- 88

MSVS- 58

Pick Three

1- Tyrese drills 4 3-pt shots

2- The Cyclones hold MVSU under 60

3- Shooting won’t be as sharp in game one

Game Notes

The Matchup: Iowa State (0-0, 0-0 Big 12) vs. Mississippi Valley State (0-0, 0-0 SWAC)

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

When: Tuesday, Nov. 5, 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/NA/979 (internet)

Live Stats: Cyclonestats.com