Big 12 Breakdown: A Look at the Iowa State Cyclones

The Iowa State Cyclones will dive into the Big 12 Conference tonight with a visit to Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas.

The Cyclones will determine what kind of impact they really will have when they play the No. 6 team in the nation, the Kansas Jayhawks. Iowa State comes into the Phog leading the Big 12 in scoring, rebounding and rebounding margin. They average 16.8 assists per game, 8.2 steals per game and shoot the ball 45.8% from the field.

Their top scorer’s are Will Clyburn who averages 14.2 ppg and Tyrus McGee who averages 13.5 ppg and leads the Big 12 in three point field goal percentage at 48.1%. In addition, freshmen Georges Niang averages 10.2 ppg, Melvin Ejim averages 10.6 ppg and 9.5 rebounds per game and Michigan State transfer Korie Lucious leads the Cyclones in passing at 5.7 assists per game.

The Cyclones’ three losses this season has come from Cincinnati, UNLV and Iowa. Their best wins are BYU at home by 19 and Campbell at home by 20. They won nine games at home and are 1-3 on the road with their only victory at Drake.

Today during his press conference, Bill Self stated that “Iowa State scores easier than any other team in the league plus they make a lot of threes and are great at rebounding. Their top seven guys have attempted at least 20 threes each and they turn the floor inside-out by putting their post players outside and their guards inside.” Coach Self also stated that the Cyclones are probably the best offensive team in the league.”

The Cyclones haven’t  played a game since Jan. 1 and will be a little rusty coming into the Phog tonight. They will have to play way out of the box to have a chance to gain that victory, but watch for the game to be close till the Jayhawks pull away in the second half. The Cyclones will have a big impact this year in the conference by their scoring, rebounding and their three point shooting average. On a strong night and with a great coach, Fred Hoiberg, no one will be able to stop them. They could potentially finish fourth in the Big 12 this season.

In what will be a good test for the Cyclones, we will see just how they will fare in a tough and gritty road battle.