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Three Things to Watch: Iowa State-Oklahoma State

Published

9 years ago

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Rise and shine Cowboy fans, it’s an 11:30 a.m. tip in Kansas City. The Pokes will lineup for their third shot at beating the (20-10, 12-6) Iowa State Cyclones, who boast a senior-laden lineup of flamethrowers. Iowa State snuck out with a three-point win over the Pokes last Tuesday on Senior Night in Ames, Iowa after winning comfortably in Stillwater in mid January.

There’s been much made about the old Big East and their basketball tournaments played in Madison Square Garden and while that was legendary basketball, the Big 12 tourney in Kansas City will feature top shelf basketball that would make Jim Boheim and John Thompson proud.

1. Slow It Down

For the Pokes to avoid a third strike against Iowa State, they’ve gotta slow down the Cyclones on some level. Easier said than done playing a team knocking down a league-leading 10.6 three pointers per game, but those are the cards you’re dealt in the Big 12. Fortunately the Pokes won’t have to reach too far back in their minds to remember what to expect and neither will we.

In round one, we saw Monte Morris explode for a career-high 30 points, while senior Matt Thomas reached a similar peak in round two going for 25 on senior night. Naz Mitrou-Long and Deonte Burton both average double digits and are just as capable of going off. In their first meeting, the Cowboys forced a few more turnovers but gave up ten more points.

Packing the lane and barring the doors is the only way to compete with a Baylor or Texas that’s loaded with bigs, but it just leaves a lot of shooters hanging out against a team like Iowa State. Seeing if the Pokes run zone or man (and if so how conservatively they guard) will be an interesting tell.

It’s not easy for the Pokes to match up man-to-man with the Cyclones with the Pokes’ undersized guards (Forte and Evans) but something I’d be intrigued to see is a Deonte Burton vs. Davon Dillard pairing. Two bulky, super confident, super athletic wings going at it. Sign me up.

2. Play to Your Strengths

It’s no secret: the Pokes can put up points. They finished the season scoring a Big 12-high 85.6 points per game: tops in free throw percentage, second in three point shooting and fourth in field goal percentage. Pick your offensive stat and they’re up there. That happens because shooters are shooting and a system is in place that’s dang effective. It’s that second part that I think the Pokes will use on Thursday morning in Kansas City.

It seems like the Pokes have a couple of different modes of offense. Fire at will and working it for the best shot. It’s so fun when the Pokes exchange haymakers with the big dogs (see last week), but I hope they slip in some more of those long drawn out possessions waiting for the best shot. Not to go ‘Bama on ya’ll, but the less possessions the Cyclones get the better. Or even just out of rhythm is a win.

Not being massively oversized in the paint plays well in the Cowboys favor too. Jawun and Forte can go to the bucket without having nightmares of Josh Jackson blocked shots. Iowa State is eighth in the league in blocked shots — attack the bucket at will.

Longer possessions and attacking the basket will both be aided by OSU’s elite offensive rebounding. Swiping 35.1 percent of missed shots playing a team that gives up a league-worst 39 rebounds per game is an advantage the Cowboys will have to work. Pulling out with a fresh clock to work is a great sign in this game.

3. Ticked Off

When you’ve been beaten by a team twice (nine straight in the series), it takes motivation to get over that hump. I loved this Underwood quote after the last Iowa State game.

“It (ticks) me off, to be quite honest. We should have won the game. I’m not into moral victories. They’re really good. That’s a given. I think we’re really good. I think, we get in the NCAA Tournament, we can beat anybody — just as they can.”

Despite the 2-0 record Iowa State has on the Cowboys this year, this is a really well matched game. It’s a scorer’s paradise for these two as they combined for nearly 50 percent from deep, knocking down 28 together. No Johnathan Motley to block shots, just a clear lane for a couple of first team point guards to create.

The list goes on and on, but in a well matched game, it comes down to who wants it more. Iowa State is an experienced team that’s made post-season runs and Brad Underwood is a dynamo with a pro point guard.

The Pokes have been pretty good on the road this year, it’s just another business trip.

OK, incredible Italian food, then down to business.

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