Basketball Preview: We’re Talkin’ Baylor

Last Time Out

It has been a bit since we had some Cyclone basketball. We last saw this team on 12/20 when the Cyclones downed Jackson State in almost a boring game, 60-45. Solomon Young and Jalen Coleman-Lands led the way for Iowa State with 18 and 16 points respectively.

About Baylor

Well, this is a team that can with the national championship. In their only “test” matchup against Illinois this team took down the top 10 Illini 82-69 and their game against Gonzaga was canceled due to COVID issues.

This Baylor team is a buzzsaw. They are ranked second in KenPom’s team rankings. They are 3rd in adjusted offense and 9th in adjusted defense according to KenPom. They are the second leading scoring team in the country averaging right at 95 points a game. Oh and Kansas State who we struggled against? Well they beat them by 31.

Player To Watch

Macio Teague is the man to watch in this one. The guard is the leading scorer for the Bears at 16.3 points a game. He is also shooting well over 50% from the field including from deep. This is their best scorer right now but this Baylor team is full of talent and just slowing down one player won’t cut it.

What Will Happen

Basically I have no reason for optimism in this one in terms of the final score. At this point with this Cyclone basketball team we are looking for growth. How well can this team progress as the season goes on. Lots of young talent on this squad and the goal is to develop them.

Baylor- 96

Iowa State- 70

Pick Three

1- Iowa State out rebounded by 20

2- Jalen Coleman-Lands leads the team in scoring

3- Iowa State shoots below 30% from deep