Iowa State basketball: 3 things to watch when the Cyclones play Iowa in the Cy-Hawk game

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The rivalry is renewed.

Iowa State men’s basketball (7-1) is headed for Iowa City to take on rival Iowa (7-2) in this year’s edition of the Cy-Hawk game on Thursday night.

Last time out, the Hawkeyes lost a close road game to top 25-ranked Michigan on Saturday, 85-83.

Meanwhile, No. 3 Iowa State enters on a four-game winning streak. The Cyclones dismantled Jackson State in their previous outing on Sunday, winning 100-58.

The Hawkeyes lead the all-time series, 48-29.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on Thursday. The game will also be available to watch on Fox Sports 1.

Here are three things to watch for in Thursday’s Cy-Hawk game.

More: Iowa State basketball: Despite ailments, Tamin Lipsey is still a Cyclones cornerstone

A fast start will be crucial

In the last four seasons, both teams have traded lopsided wins.

There hasn’t been much drama in any of these recent meetings. The last four games were decided by 19 or more points. If it wasn’t decided in the first 10 minutes, the winning team certainly built a big lead by halftime and coasted through the second half to the final buzzer.

Last year, Iowa State won, 90-65. The Cyclones built a double-digit lead through the first 10 minutes of action, which eventually ballooned to a 47-29 halftime advantage.

A season before that, the Hawkeyes raced out to a 24-4 lead, before beating Iowa State, 75-56.

Will that pattern continue on Thursday?

KenPom projects Iowa State as a 69% favorite to win by a final score of 83-78. However, this rivalry hasn’t seen a game decided by single digits since the Cyclones defeated the Hawkeyes at home, 84-78, in 2017.

More: Hines: Keshon Gilbert emerging as a star for Iowa State basketball

Hawkeyes’ offensive balance

In the six years before this season, the Hawkeyes ranked in the top 20 in the nation for offensive efficiency, according to KenPom. Entering Thursday, they are below this mark, but at 34th in the country, they’re still nothing to take lightly.

Saturday’s loss to Michigan was Iowa’s first true test…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/iowa-state-basketball-3-things-120548493.html

Author : The Des Moines Register

Publish date : 2024-12-11 12:05:00

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