Iowa State is heading to Utah for a two-game road trip, starting with a clash against No. 22 BYU.
The Cyclones will take on the Cougars at the Marriott Center this Saturday at 9:30 p.m. CT, with the game airing on ESPN.
The Cyclones, boasting a 23-3 record and standing 10-3 in the Big 12, are riding high after significant victories over No. 12 Kansas and No.
2 Houston. On the other hand, BYU, with a 19-7 record, has hit a rough patch, losing six of their last nine games, including a recent defeat at Arizona.
Here’s what to keep an eye on for this exciting matchup:
Iowa State Faces BYU's A.J. Dybantsa
Last season, Iowa State dropped both games against BYU, but those matchups were nothing short of thrilling. This year, the anticipation is even greater with the presence of five-star prospect A.J. Dybantsa, who’s committed to BYU.
Dybantsa, projected as a top-three pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, is making waves. The 6-foot-9 forward is a scoring powerhouse, averaging 24.8 points per game, leading the nation. His shooting stats are impressive too, with 53.1% overall and 35.7% from three-point range.
His ability to elevate his game during crunch time is noteworthy, having scored 20 or more points in each of the last five games, including matchups against Kansas and Houston. With three 30-point games in this stretch, Dybantsa’s versatility in scoring-from mid-range to beyond the arc-poses a significant challenge for the Cyclones.
Iowa State’s recent schedule has been a true test, facing top NBA Draft prospects like Kansas' Darryn Peterson, Houston's Kingston Flemings, and now Dybantsa.
Adjusting to Saunders' Absence
Richie Saunders, last year's Big 12 Most Improved Player, is sidelined with a season-ending ACL injury. He was a crucial part of BYU’s lineup, averaging 18.0 points per game.
In his absence, Dybantsa has taken on more responsibility, but Baylor transfer Robert Wright III has also stepped up. Wright is averaging 18.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, with impressive shooting percentages.
The frontcourt duo of Keba Keita and Mihailo Boskovic remains vital for BYU, while Kennard Davis Jr. has been stepping up lately. The Cougars are adapting, with various players filling in the gaps to support Dybantsa and Wright.
The Battle of the Boards
For Iowa State, controlling the rebounding battle will be crucial. BYU is known for their offensive prowess, but last season’s games highlighted the importance of winning on the boards. Keba Keita, in particular, was a standout in this area.
BYU ranks in the top 90 for both offensive and defensive rebounding rates. With Saunders out, Iowa State might have an edge, but they need to capitalize on this by limiting BYU’s second-chance opportunities and securing their own.
Prediction
With momentum from their recent wins, Iowa State aims to secure another big victory on the road. Slowing down Dybantsa and Wright will be key, and Saunders' absence could tip the scales in the Cyclones' favor.
Prediction: Iowa State 82, BYU 77