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Time is running out for Iowa State to drastically change their season, and trip down to Austin could be a step in the right direction.
Last Time Out
Another loss inside Hilton Coliseum for Iowa State at the hands of Baylor, 67-53. Iowa State kept things interested for most of the first half until the wheels fell off following a Steve Prohm technical in the second half. Rasir Bolton led the way for the Cyclones with 19 points and Tyrese Haliburton added 17 points of his own. Not much else went right for Iowa State, as this season continues to look uglier by the game.
About Texas
Texas is 6th in the Big 12 standings with a conference record of 3-4 (13-7 overall). Much like Iowa State, the Longhorns’ head coach Shaka Smart is under a ton of pressure as his tenure in Austin has not been what many thought it would be. The hot seat fired up even more after a devastating dismantling to West Virginia a few weeks ago.
Texas has one of the worst scoring offenses in the country, averaging around 66 points per game, which is 349th in the country, and their adjusted offensive efficiency is 113th in the country. The defensive end of the floor is where they get after you, which is typical of a Shaka Smart team. They allow just over 60 points a game and their defensive efficiency is near top 50 in the country.
Texas turns it over on 20% of their possessions. If Iowa State can force the Longhorns into tough predicaments and get some steals and get out in transition it will lead to easy buckets which come hard for Iowa State. On the other hand Texas forces a ton of turnovers, something Iowa State has been struggling with lately.
Player To Watch
Matt Coleman is the leading scorer for the Longhorns, averaging just over 12 points and 4 assists. Coleman III has scored in double digits in 4 of his last 5 games, including 17 points against LSU in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. He also shoots 43% from 3pt range, which oddly enough usually strikes in a bad way against Iowa State. If Iowa State can keep him pinned down, it should help keep a limited Texas offense at bay.
What Will Happen
If this game was at home, I would feel decent about it, but Iowa State has not shown us a whole lot to spark confidence in a road win. Iowa State struggles on the offensive end of the floor with no true identity and Texas gets after you on defense. Tyrese Haliburton and Rasir Bolton will both need to score over 20 with another player stepping up as well for Iowa State to have a shot in this one. There is not much else to say other than sit back and hope for the best. Give me Texas in this one, but I have my fingers crosses for something positive.
Texas - 72
Iowa State - 68
Pick Three
1- For the love of god let Caleb Grill drill a three
2- Rasir Bolton scores 25
3- Offensive struggles continue big time
Game Notes
The Matchup: Iowa State (9-11, 2-5 Big 12) vs. Texas (13-7, 3-4 Big 12)
Where: Austin, Texas - Erwin Center (16,540)
When: Saturday, Feb. 1, 1 p.m. (CST)
Radio: Cyclone Radio Network/TuneIn RadioTalent: John Walters (PxP), Eric Heft (Analyst)
TV: Longhorn NetworkTalent: Lowell Galindo (PxP), Lance Blanks (Analyst)
Webcast: WatchESPN
Sirius/XM/Internet: NA/385/975 (internet)
Live Stats: Cyclonestats.com