Iowa State basketball: 3 things to watch when the Cyclones play Morgan State on Sunday

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Final exams are wrapped up, and there’s one last non-conference game for Iowa State men’s basketball before it prepares for the Big 12 Conference gauntlet.

The No. 3 Cyclones (9-1) will aim to extend their six-game winning streak in a Sunday matinee against Morgan State.

Morgan State (6-8) earned an 86-76 win over Campbell last Sunday to snap a two-game losing skid where it gave up 102 or more points against Bowling Green and Xavier.

Although the Bears sit at 6-8, four of those wins were against non-Division I competition.

Sunday’s game is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT at Hilton Coliseum. The game will be available to watch on ESPN+.

Here are three things to keep an eye on Sunday:

More: Hines: Iowa State basketball readying for the Big 12 storm

Morgan State Bears guard Kameron Hobbs (0) drives against Xavier Musketeers guard Ryan Conwell (7) in the second half of the NCAA basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Morgan State Bears at the Cintas Center on the campus of Xavier University in Cincinnati on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. Xavier won 119-58.

One last tune-up before Big 12 play

The Big 12 took some bumps during non-conference play, but the league will be no cakewalk.

According to KenPom, the Cyclones are a 99.97% favorite to win Sunday’s game by a projected final score of 100-62.

Iowa State will likely get to go deep into its rotation on Sunday afternoon. Morgan State ranks 357th out of 364 Division I teams for defensive efficiency.

Once players and coaches return from holiday celebrations, conference play will be an unforgiving grind.

According to KenPom’s team rankings, every remaining opponent after Sunday will be ranked in the top 101. Oklahoma State, which is ranked No. 101, is the only one outside of the top 90, but it further illustrates the strength of the conference and the challenges ahead for the Cyclones.

Iowa State forward Brandton Chatfield (33) looks poised for a breakout game Sunday against Morgan State.

More: Iowa State basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger agrees…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/iowa-state-basketball-3-things-192904928.html

Author : The Des Moines Register

Publish date : 2024-12-20 19:29:00

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