Takeaways from Iowa State basketball’s Big 12 Tournament loss vs. BYU

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Iowa State basketball: TJ Otzelberger after Big 12 Tournament loss

Iowa State basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger shared his post-game thoughts after the Cyclones’ Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal loss to BYU.

KANSAS CITY — Iowa State’s trip to Kansas City for the Big 12 Tournament ended earlier than it would have liked, as the fifth-seeded Cyclones fell to fourth-seeded BYU in an action-packed, high-scoring Thursday game.

There will be a new conference tournament title-winner this year, as the Cougars knocked off the defending Big 12 Tournament champion with a 96-92 win.

Curtis Jones had a game-high 31 points on 11-of-22 shooting and a 7-of-15 clip from beyond the arc. Milan Momcilovic added 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Joshua Jefferson had 14 points, six assists, three rebounds, two blocks and five turnovers. Frontcourt mate Dishon Jackson also had 14 points, with five rebounds, two blocks and three assists. The Cyclones dropped to 24-9 overall.

Richie Saunders led BYU with 23 points. Fousseyni Traore had 15 points, and Trevin Knell added 14 points and shot 4-for-4 from the 3-point line.

Here are three takeaways from Thursday’s game:

BYU is a blast to watch, especially on offense

The ball movement, the poise and the ability to be OK giving up a good look if it means to find an even greater shot attempt − the Cougars were flowing. Saunders continues to be the primary catalyst, with his ability to score from anywhere on the floor and create, but there is an abundance of shooters around them.

Their unselfishness and intent to find that optimal shot was on display, as they shot 30-for-58 (51.7%) and a blistering 18-for-36 (50.0%) from deep. BYU assisted on 24 of 30 made shots. Eight different players scored at least one 3-pointer, with six making multiple long-range shots. They don’t seem to miss a beat when they swap pieces in and out of their 10-man rotation.

In addition to the perimeter shooting and ball movement, Keba Keita is an athletic force inside and on the glass….

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Source link : https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/basketball-mens/2025/03/14/iowa-state-basketball-byu-takeaways-analysis-big-12-tournament-cyclones-cougars/82366485007/

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Publish date : 2025-03-14 10:28:00

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