Iowa State's basketball journey is heating up as they approach the final stretch of their schedule. With two explosive victories under their belt, the Cyclones are gaining momentum just in time for March Madness. Next up, they face a tough challenge at the Marriott Center against a BYU team that’s been through the wringer in Big 12 play.
Cyclone fans were on edge after a narrow win over Baylor and a stumble at TCU. But it’s a long season, and bumps in the road are part of the journey. Now, Iowa State seems to have found their rhythm again.
In their showdown with KU, Iowa State had five players hitting double digits in scoring, led by Milan Momcilovic’s 18 points. Defensively, they held Kansas to their lowest scoring output of the season, matching their performance against UConn.
Darryn Peterson struggled, managing only ten points on 3-10 shooting with three turnovers. Crucially, Iowa State dominated the turnover battle 13-6, a key factor for their success as March looms.
Their next matchup against Houston turned into an unforgettable classic. Down by ten with just seven minutes left, the odds were stacked against them.
But Hilton Magic prevailed, with Nate Heise nailing a clutch three-pointer as the shot clock wound down, etching his name into Cyclone lore. The win was a true team effort, with all eight players in the rotation scoring between six and twelve points.
Impressively, they set a school record with only three turnovers against a formidable defense.
Meanwhile, BYU is in a rough patch, posting a 3-6 record over their last nine games. Many losses were close, but facing top conference teams has been a challenge.
Their hopes took a hit when Richie Saunders suffered an ACL injury just 45 seconds into their game against Colorado. Saunders, a senior averaging 18 points and 5.8 rebounds, is a significant loss, not just for his stats but for his leadership and experience.
BYU still has standout freshman AJ Dybantsa, averaging an impressive 24.8 points per game and contributing significantly in rebounds and assists. Alongside Robert Wright III, who averages 18.5 points, they form a dynamic duo. However, with Kennard Davis Jr. as the third-leading scorer at just 7.3 points per game, the Cougars need someone to step up if they hope to compete with Iowa State or Texas Tech.
With Iowa State holding a slight 55% chance to win according to ESPN, here’s their path to victory:
- Contain Dybantsa: AJ Dybantsa has been a force, playing extensive minutes and taking on a larger role after Saunders' injury. Slowing him down, even if he hits his averages, will be crucial for Iowa State.
- Early Lead: As one of the conference's top three-point shooting teams, Iowa State should aim to establish an early lead. BYU might struggle to catch up without their top shooter.
- Overcome Road Challenges: All of Iowa State’s losses have come on the road, and playing at altitude with a late tipoff presents challenges. Acknowledging these conditions and maintaining their intensity will be key to securing a win in Provo for the first time since 2013.