Iowa State took two very good teams to the wire last week - and lost. So that puts them in the same boat as Oklahoma State at 2-2 in conference play. The big question tonight is which Oklahoma State team will we see in Ames? Hopefully, it's not the team that turned the ball over 19 times last Saturday the 41 point Waco ass drubbing.
Iowa State’s probable starters:
G: Chris Allen, 6-3 Sr. – 12.9 PPG, 2.6 APG
G: Scott Christopherson, 6-3 Sr. – 11.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG
G: Chris Babb, 6-5 Jr. – 9.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG
F: Melvin Ejim, 6-6 So. 7.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG
F: Royce White, 6-8 So. – 13.4 PPG, 9.6 RPG
The first thing that jumps out at me is the 6-3 Guards. Keiton Page is listed at 5-9 so he gives up 6 (thank you @Moldy78) inches on paper. Sam did an analysis last year on Page vs. 6-0 or taller opponents and from what I can remember about it, 6-3 isn't good news. Seeing how Page is our leader, this could be a problem. Let's assume for a second that it's not a problem though, and he somehow gets to the free throw line 28 times using his "jump into the defender awkwardly and get fouled behind the three point line" method. That's roughly 28 points for the PAWNEE PISTOL. GAME ON.
The other Cyclone that we'll have to deal with tonight is 6-8 Sophomore Royce White. At nearly 14 points and 10 rebounds per game, the kid is a nightmare. To put it in perspective, he had 18 points and 17 rebounds AT KANSAS. I'm not sure who, or how, we will defend him. Keep an eye on that for me please.
The good news here is that Oklahoma State's strength - once again on paper here - is defense. We currently limit our opponents (except Baylor) to 65.5 points per game and 30% from 3. We're going to have to limit the Cyclones offensively tonight if we have any chance at a win.
We're also going to need a big night from Le'Bryan Nash. The freshman has score 21 points in 2 Big 12 wins, a just about dick in 2 Big 12 losses. Give him 21 with Keiton's 28 free throws and a good defensive performance and we've got a ball game! Honestly though, I'm not terribly optimistic here. I think we'll show some heart tonight but lose a heart breaker.
Iowa State 68 Pawnee Pistol 66