The Cyclones are heating up at just the right time.
After a brutal five-game skid-their longest in over a decade-Iowa State has flipped the script with three straight wins, capped by a statement 84-70 road victory over No. 21 Texas Tech. That win didn’t just add another tally in the “W” column-it gave the Cyclones a second coveted Quad 1 win, a major boost for their NCAA tournament resume as they claw their way back into the Big 12 conversation.
And let’s talk about Audi Crooks. The sophomore center was unstoppable in Lubbock, dropping 33 points and pulling down 12 boards in a dominant performance that anchored the Cyclones on both ends.
Her presence in the paint was a mismatch all night. But it wasn’t a one-woman show-Sydney Harris stepped up in a big way, knocking down 3-of-4 from deep and finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds for her first career double-double.
That kind of production from the perimeter is exactly what Iowa State needs to complement Crooks’ inside game.
As a team, the Cyclones were locked in. They shot 46.7% from three and hit 15-of-20 from the free throw line-numbers that reflect a squad playing with confidence and cohesion. It’s a far cry from where they were earlier this month, struggling to find rhythm without star forward Addy Brown.
Brown has now missed seven straight games, and her absence was glaring early on. The Cyclones looked disjointed through the first four games without her, but have since found their footing.
Head coach Bill Fennelly offered no timeline for her return, saying Friday, “You’re not going to see Addy Brown in a practice jersey for a while.” That’s a tough blow, but the team’s recent surge shows they’re learning how to win without her.
They’ll look to keep that momentum rolling as Central Florida comes to town. The Knights, sitting at 2-7 in conference play, have had a rough go in their third year in the Big 12.
They’re coming off back-to-back losses to the top two teams in the league and rank last in the conference in scoring during league play, averaging just 56.1 points per game. For comparison, Iowa State leads the Big 12 in conference scoring at 74.9 points per game-a nearly 19-point gap.
UCF does have a bright spot in Leah Harmon, who’s averaging 15.7 points per game and ranks in the top ten in the Big 12 in scoring. But as a team, the Knights have struggled to put together consistent offensive performances, and their lack of firepower has been a major hurdle.
According to ESPN’s matchup predictor, Iowa State has a 97% chance to win this one-a number that reflects the disparity between the two programs right now. The NET rankings back that up: Iowa State sits at No. 31, while UCF is way down at No.
- For context, Northern Iowa is ranked 112-and Iowa State handled them 81-53 earlier this season.
So what’s the path to victory for the Cyclones? Here are three keys:
**1. Don’t fear the zone.
**
UCF is expected to roll out a zone defense with two post players, and that could open up the perimeter.
Iowa State has been lethal from deep during this win streak, hitting over 40% from three in each of the last three games. They’re shooting 37.2% from beyond the arc in conference play-second-best in the Big 12.
If they stay hot from outside, the zone won’t be much of a problem.
**2. Start fast.
**
The Cyclones have been winning first quarters by comfortable margins during this stretch, and another quick start could take the air out of UCF early.
Against a team that’s struggled to score all season, an early double-digit lead could be enough to put this one away before halftime.
**3. Send the fans home happy.
**
This is the last home game for two weeks, with a road trip to Utah and BYU on deck after a short break.
A solid, drama-free win would be the perfect send-off before hitting the road for two tough matchups out west. The fans have been showing up-give them something to cheer about before the long layoff.
Bottom line: This is a game Iowa State should win. But in the thick of conference play, nothing is guaranteed. The Cyclones have found their rhythm at the right time, and if they keep executing like they have over the last three games, they’ll be in great shape to keep climbing the Big 12 standings-and make a strong case for the tournament committee while they’re at it.