Basketball Preview: We’re Talkin’ Baylor Part II

The last time the Cyclones tangoed with Baylor, Cam Lard went down early with an injury and the good guys came up short down in Waco. The second time around, everybody is healthy, and Prohm should have a much better idea of how to attack that Baylor zone. Let’s take a look at what we have going on tonight inside Hilton Coliseum.

Last Time Out

Last weekend’s bout with Kansas State had major Big 12 title implications in play, and Iowa State blew the Big 12 race wide open with a 78-64 victory in Manhattan.

The Cyclones jumped out early after a slow start, taking a 38-31 lead into the halftime break on the back of fourteen straight points from Talen Horton-Tucker. Horton-Tucker hit six threes and finished the game scoring twenty points.

Iowa State shot 8-for-14 from 3-point range in the first half, while Kansas State missed five of its eight shots from deep. The Cyclones were able to hold Kansas State off a potential run and keep the lead for most of the game.

The Cyclones shot over fifty percent from the floor and from 3-point range. Leading the way for Iowa State was Lindell Wigginton, scoring twenty-three points off the bench. Iowa State is now 8-4 in conference play, and sits one game back of Kansas State at 9-3.

About Baylor

Baylor dropped to 16-9 (7-5 Big 12) on the season after being defeated by Texas Tech, 86-61, this past Saturday. Baylor was missing key players in Makai Mason and King McClure, and couldn’t fight back after Texas Tech took a 45-32 lead at halftime. Baylor struggled offensively against a tough Red Raiders defense and shot just 34% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc. Offensively, Baylor was led by Jared Butler who had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal.

On the season, Baylor is averaging 71.8 points per game on 45% shooting from the field, and just under eight three pointers per game on 34% shooting from beyond the arc. Defensively, Baylor is holding their opponents to an average of 65 points per game on 41% shooting from the field.

Baylor currently sits as the 37th ranked team according to KenPom. They have the 30th ranked adjusted offense in the country as well as the 56th-ranked adjusted defense in the country.

Opponent Player To Watch

Makai Mason and King McClure are both questionable for tonight's game, though it appears that at least one of them may play. Makai Mason is the Bears’ best player, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he were to play in this one. Mason is averaging 15.6 points per game while shooting near 44% from the field. Since the Tristan Clark injury, he has been Baylor’s main weapon, and if they are to make a run later in March, he’s going to be the main reason why. Against Iowa Stare earlier this season, Mason scored 25 points, including hitting on 4-of-9 from 3 point range. He also has scored 40 points once this season against TCU.

What Will Happen

How this game pans out really depends on if Mason and McClure for Baylor are out there. If they are not, this will be a long night for Baylor. If they do indeed give it a go, this one should be competitive. As of right now, the line is bouncing around the 8-point mark in favor of Iowa State. I think after the nut punch TCU gave Iowa State at home just over a week ago, we see a little more intensity in this team, and I just don’t think they have another one in them to give away. Give me the Clones to cover, and another big game from Lindell Wigginton.

The Pick: Iowa State- 78 Baylor-66

Pick Three

1- Steve Prohm runs out of chapstick. It’s cold, folks, and them lips need it.

2- Too many mentions of Fred Hoiberg back in town are made on TV.

3- Cameron Lard gets two fouls in the first half.

Game Notes

The Matchup: No. 19 Iowa State (19-6, 8-4 Big 12) vs. Baylor (16-9, 7-5 Big 12)

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

When: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 18p.m. (CST)

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

TV: ESPN2 Talent: Jon Sciambi (PxP), Stan Van Gundy (Analyst)

Webcast: WatchESPN

Sirius/XM/Internet: 108/199/953 (internet)

Live Stats: Cyclonestats.com