K-State Wildcats vs. Iowa State Cyclones: Basketball lineups, TV, time, odds, pick
THE DETAILS
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa
TV: ESPNU
Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City, KKGQ (92.3 FM) in Wichita
Betting line: Iowa State by 5
Over/Under: 130
STARTING LINEUPS
P | No. | Kansas State | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 23 | Abayomi Iyiola | 6-10 | Sr. | 4.7 |
F | 35 | Nae’Qwan Tomlin | 6-10 | Jr. | 10.7 |
F | 11 | Keyontae Johnson | 6-6 | Sr. | 18.5 |
G | 5 | Cam Carter | 6-3 | So. | 6.4 |
G | 1 | Markquis Nowell | 5-8 | Sr. | 16.7 |
P | No. | Iowa State | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
C | 21 | Osun Osunniyi | 6-10 | Sr. | 8.9 |
F | 0 | Tre King | 6-7 | Sr. | 5.9 |
G | 13 | Jaren Holmes | 6-4 | Sr. | 12.9 |
G | 3 | Tamin Lipsey | 6-1 | Fr. | 6.7 |
G | 22 | Gabe Kalscheur | 6-4 | Sr. | 12.8 |
About Kansas State (17-2, 6-1):
The Wildcats won both of their games last week and were rewarded with a No. 5 ranking in the AP Top 25 college basketball poll. K-State is now sitting all alone in first place of the Big 12 standings following wins over Kansas and Texas Tech. It will try to keep its winning ways going against Iowa State. The Wildcats should be at full strength for this game. Forward David N’Guessan returned to the lineup on Saturday and seems poised to play more and more minutes moving forward alongside Ismael Massoud and Abayomi Iyiola.
About Iowa State (14-4, 5-2):
The Cyclones are No. 12 in the latest top 25 rankings. They would have been higher if not for a one-point loss at Oklahoma State on Saturday. Iowa State may be without starting guard Caleb Grill on Tuesday. The former Maize product is dealing with stiffness in his back and ISU coach T.J. Otzelberger described his status as “doubtful” when speaking with media this week. Iowa State is best known for its defense. The Cyclones rank sixth nationally in terms of efficiency and force their opponents to turn the ball over on 28.4% of their possessions. That number ranks first nationally. Gabe Kalscheur and Jaren Holmes make the Cyclones go on offense, as they are both averaging more than 12 points per game.
Prediction
For decades now, Allen Fieldhouse has been universally recognized as the toughest venue in the Big 12 for visiting teams. But that title could easily shift north to Hilton Coliseum this season.
Hilton has been filled with magic for the Cyclones lately.
Not only are they 10-0 at home this season, their last few victories in Ames have come by eye-popping scores. Iowa State beat No. 17 Baylor 77-62 there, then they crushed Texas Tech 84-50 and then they followed that up with a 78-67 beatdown of No. 10 Texas.
Home court will be an advantage for Iowa State when it hosts K-State on Tuesday.
The Wildcats are road tested with a 3-2 record in true away games this season, but this will be their most difficult assignment yet. The Cyclones are one of the nation’s best defensive teams and K-State will be trying to score on them inside a venue where Big 12 visitors are averaging 59.7 points this month
If Caleb Grill is unable to play that could help K-State’s chances in this game. He is Iowa State’s top three-point shooter, as he has gone 38-of-101 from deep this season.
Still, the Wildcats may need to speed up the pace of play and push the winning score into the 70s to have a good chance in this one. Even then, that could open them up for more turnovers and the Cyclones rank first nationally in taking the ball away from their opponents.
Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson could always shoot K-State past Iowa State the way they have against other opponents. But that would be an incredible achievement given Iowa State’s recent track record.
No Big 12 team has gone into Hilton Coliseum and looked good this season.
Iowa State 69, K-State 60
Last game prediction: K-State 74, Texas Tech 72
Season record: 14-5.
Season record against the spread: 12-7