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Arizona Vs Iowa St 🏀 Game Preview/Discussion Thread 1/27/25 830pm ESPN
It's a Big 12 contest on the hardwood as the #3 Iowa State Cyclones travel to the Valley of the Sun to battle the Arizona Wildcats Monday night and we have you covered with our Iowa State vs. Arizona prediction. Iowa State was on the road to face Arizona State Saturday afternoon, rallying for a 76-61 road win to cover the line as a 10-point favorite, in their previous contest. Arizona was at home against Colorado in their previous contest Saturday afternoon, earning a 78-63 home win and covering the line as a 14.5-point favorite in their previous contest. In the all-time series between the teams, the Wildcats own a 4-3 advantage and have won the last three meetings. That includes a 71-66 win as part of the Maui Invitational in the most recent matchup on November 19, 2018.
Iowa State had their issues against Arizona State but clamped down in crunch time to earn the road victory. The Cyclones improved to 17-2 overall and are tied for second in the Big 12 with a 7-1 mark on the season. Against Arizona State, Iowa State gave up the game's first five points and trailed by seven at the half. The Cyclones still trailed by seven with 15:56 to play before closing the gap. Iowa State was down 58-57 with 5:37 remaining before closing the game on a 19-3 run to win going away. The Cyclones shot 45.8% from the field, including eight of 19 from three-point range, and knocked down 24 of 30 free throws in the win. Curtis Jones led Iowa State with 33 points, seven rebounds and three steals in the win.
The Cyclones are an excellent offensive team as they average 84.6 points per game, putting them 12th on the season. Iowa State pulls down 37.4 boards a night (100th) while dishing out an average of 15.8 assists (69th) per game on the year. The Cyclones are excellent on the defensive end, ranking 44th in the nation in scoring defense as they allow 65.9 points per contest. Milan Momcilovic is one of four players scoring in double figures with 10.3 points plus 3.5 rebounds per contest this season. Keshon Gilbert (15.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists), Tamin Lipsey (9.9 points, three assists, 2.3 steals), Joshua Jefferson (12.8 points, 8.3 rebounds) and Curtis Jones (18.6 points, 4.6 rebounds) are solid secondary scoring options. Dishon Jackson (9.2 points, 4.7 rebounds), Nojus Indrusaitis, Brandton Chatfield, Nate Heise all have to be on their game for the Cyclones. Iowa State is shooting 49.5% from the floor this season, which is 13th in the nation. The Cyclones average 7.2 three-pointers a night while shooting 35% from beyond the arc. Iowa State is above average at the free throw line as they shoot 75.4% as a team on the year, putting them 66th in Division I.
Arizona won their second straight and their ninth in their last 10 games as they rolled past Colorado, keeping the Buffaloes winless in Tucson dating back to 1965. The Wildcats improved to 13-6 overall and are tied for second in the Big 12 with a 7-1 conference mark. Against Colorado, Arizona led by seven on multiple occasions in the opening half only to see their lead trimmed to two at the half. The Wildcats were tied at 40 with 14:43 remaining but reeled off a 10-2 lead to take a 50-42 advantage. They didn't let the lead drop below six the rest of the way en route to the win. Arizona shot 46.9% from the field, including nine of 27 from three-point range, and won the rebounding battle 37-31 in the game. Anthony Dell'Orso led the Wildcats with 20 points in the victory.
The Wildcats average 82.7 points per game this season, putting them #28 in the nation in scoring offense. Arizona grabs 39.8 rebounds per contest (30th) while they are 30th in the nation by handing out 16.9 assists per contest. The Wildcats are above average on the defensive end of the floor as they are 101st in the nation by allowing 68.9 points a night. Caleb Love leads the Wildcats as he puts up 15.3 points plus 4.5 rebounds a game this season. Jaden Bradley (11.4 points, 3.8 assists), Trey Townsend (9.7 points, 4.1 boards), KJ Lewis (10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds) and Anthony Dell'Orso (9.3 points) are solid scoring threats for Arizona. The Wildcats also rely on Motiejus Krivas, Tobe Awaka, Henri Veesaar and Carter Bryant to contribute in the rotation for Tommy Lloyd. Arizona shoots 48.2% from the field as a team this season, which is 38th in the nation. The Wildcats connect on 6.9 three-pointers a night while shooting 32.4% from beyond the arc, putting them 260th in the nation. Arizona has been above average at the free throw line as they sink 75.2% of their chances this season, putting them 71st in the nation.
Arizona is favored at 1.5 points and the Over/Under is 151.5 points
Let's talk about the Wildcats Vs Cyclones
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https://x.com/realBJP/status/1883614534281335120?t=l1cTobqHZJcWclNIoEW34w&s=19
Limiting Curtis Jones is obviously important, but I believe taking Josh Jefferson out of this game may be even more critical to pulling off the home upset.
Quote from: |ᴘ|ʀ|ʏ|ᴍ|ᴇ| on January 26, 2025, 01:53:21 PMLimiting Curtis Jones is obviously important, but I believe taking Josh Jefferson out of this game may be even more critical to pulling off the home upset.
I just don't see where we have an advantage this game. I think JB, Love and KJ can hold their own, but ADO vs Jones? Scary. Who do we have that can stop Jefferson and Jackson down low? Seems like Jackson is going to be able to back down everyone we put on him. On the flip side, only HV has the size to get shots over their bigs. Not saying we can't win, but we'd need a tremendous effort from multiple guys and that doesn't happen often with this squad.
https://x.com/ArizonaMBB/status/1883710406776217644?t=hm7eG1Dj5Me-mGnh_1qvaw&s=19
Quote from: TucsonTruckStop on January 26, 2025, 02:42:55 PMQuote from: |ᴘ|ʀ|ʏ|ᴍ|ᴇ| on January 26, 2025, 01:53:21 PMLimiting Curtis Jones is obviously important, but I believe taking Josh Jefferson out of this game may be even more critical to pulling off the home upset.
I just don't see where we have an advantage this game. I think JB, Love and KJ can hold their own, but ADO vs Jones? Scary. Who do we have that can stop Jefferson and Jackson down low? Seems like Jackson is going to be able to back down everyone we put on him. On the flip side, only HV has the size to get shots over their bigs. Not saying we can't win, but we'd need a tremendous effort from multiple guys and that doesn't happen often with this squad.
My impression of the way to mitigate any advantage a team has on you is to do 3 things Really well.
1. Shoot the Ball - Hit 3s, hit open and guarded shot. Have a Night.
2. Don't turn the Ball over - Ball Security is a must when overmatched.
3. Turn their strengths into Weaknesses - The most difficult of the 3 components, but whatever they do best, we have to have a counter action for it that negates their effect. So if it is getting down low and putting the ball in easy, we will need to get up court quickly and not allow them to set their defense.
Efficient shooting from 3 and Pressing Iowa State into playing faster than they want to will be the key to the game.
Our offensive styles of play are similar. In addition to the above "keys", I think we need to prevent the Cyclones from scoring in transition. Like the Cats in McKale, they run with the momentum and we can't afford to give up easy dunks, which hurts because it means we can't have as many offensive rebounders, attempting to put up second chance points.
It'll be a good game tonight...
Guess who was playing the last time
Tom beat Iowa State. This fkn guy:
(https://media1.tenor.com/m/2ewtH8LlAB4AAAAC/karnowski-hammer-time.gif)
My three things for success tonight-
1- Caleb Love has a good game against a good team, doesn't mean he scores 20+ he just needs to limit his 3pt attempts and attack the basket
2- Tobe to hold his own on the glass and not get in foul trouble.
3- KJ to keep his head up and ride that line of playing with great effort and not making dumb mistakes.
I'm not very optimistic about tonight. I can't see a scenario where ADO gets going from three, but that happening could make things much easier for the team to get and keep a lead
I wonder if everybody will just stare at the ball when the shots go up. History would suggest that the answer is Yes.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 27, 2025, 09:24:29 AMOur offensive styles of play are similar. In addition to the above "keys", I think we need to prevent the Cyclones from scoring in transition. Like the Cats in McKale, they run with the momentum and we can't afford to give up easy dunks, which hurts because it means we can't have as many offensive rebounders, attempting to put up second chance points.
It'll be a good game tonight...
If anything this is the game Tommy built his system for. Hopefully we can get back on D like you are saying. I do think that we need to take the opportunity to get a Stop, then slow it down a bit too just to mix up the pace. Not all the time, but 1 out of every 4 possessions just to frustrate them if we are able to score on them from a set defense, especially if it's a Tony Del Taco 3 ball type shot.
I don't think we have advantages nor a good chance tonight, but I would like to see us frustrate them as opposed to the latter. I can see us being frustrated early if we aren't "on" hitting our shots and they are making some tough ones.
This will be a good mental toughness measuring stick game.
https://x.com/BrucePascoe/status/1884073293772382241?t=LBwL30q-ocBYc1G3BQShow&s=19
https://x.com/ArizonaMBB/status/1884033425834926340?t=DlHweDJajbdkK0q0106Gcw&s=19
https://x.com/BrucePascoe/status/1884068763441737871?t=yTm6EhDCH5GR4de7c0mnOw&s=19
What an amazing effort. The boys played hard and never gave up.
If Love didn't miss everything in regulation, we would have easily won. In the end, it was his confidence that ironically earned the W.
Rollercoaster ride for fans that definitely got their money's worth at McKale.
Bear down!
Arizona win % this season vs. conference opponents:
vs big12 schools 7-2 77%
vs. former PAC schools 1-1 50%
vs. B1g10, ACC & SEC schools 0-3 0%
Maybe the big12 isn't very good.
https://x.com/JonnyRoot_/status/1884264534195724700?t=hkviymvYdro-AZRY9HilKQ&s=19
The Big-12 is clearly better than everybody except the SEC, who is having a surprisingly strong season.
Nobody within our conference has played the "basement", including South Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Texas, etc.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 28, 2025, 11:46:41 AMThe Big-12 is clearly better than everybody except the SEC, who is having a surprisingly strong season.
Nobody within our conference has played the "basement", including South Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Texas, etc.
I think the SEC is strong right now, but it has the look of getting too many bids and not performing well in the Big Dance. Maybe 1 or 2 teams really are legit, but I don't think All of Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky are going deep and then teams like Miss. St, Texas AM, etc... they aren't going to get "13" in and be 13 of the Sweet 16...
I don't like MSU at all but A&M could do some damage with the right matchups. Kentucky relies too heavily on threes, which will be their demise. One off night from deep and their season is done.
If Broome can return at full strength, I don't know who stops Auburn.
Caleb love is good guy an he is right
Glory to god, that shot went in.
Game could have gone either way, big win by arizona, I had to get up for work early the next day, an after the game,I had my adrenaline shooting through the roof I only slept 3 hours, what a game though, now must beat asu.
Hey, Cyclone fan here! Wanted to pop in here and say good game on Monday! It was my first time in Tucson and the McKale Center was one of the venues I've always wanted to experience. Obviously bummed with the outcome but still a fun game nonetheless.
Your fans and the energy they brought all night was amazing. Looking forward to the rematch in Hilton. Hopefully some Wildcat fans will make the trip to Ames. It's awesome having really passionate fan bases in the Big 12.
What an amazing road experience for you. I'm selfishly excited for the rivalry because Ames is an easy trip for me.
Tickets are outrageous for Hilton but I'll likely suck it up and find something because I love the atmosphere and fanbase of ISU. Let me know if you have an extra pair of tickets for sale!! Ha
For the record, Iowa State is better than both Houston and Kansas, and I like your odds of making a Final Four better than theirs.