Apologies for the lack of timeliness with this one, been very out of focus over the past few days but still wanted to get up some things that I think are important before I head over to the arena this morning, so here we go.
KenPom Proj Margin: ISU 77-76
Iowa State: KenPom No. 4. Off Eff: 6, Def Eff: 9.
-One of the best teams in the nation metrically and the second best team in the conference on KenPom (Houston 3). This is a team who has lost once, against widely regarded one of the best teams in the country in Auburn, by two points, on a neutral court.
-Iowa State is one of the best teams in the country at taking care of the basketball, carrying just a 13.6% turnover rate, good for 7th best in the country and best in the Big 12 by a longshot. The next best Big 12 team is Houston at 15.1% (36th), and Texas Tech 15.2% (42nd).
-Similarly, on the other end of the floor, Iowa State's ability to turn teams over is top-20 in the country at 18th with a 22.4% rate and 13.9% steal rate (13th in country). Largely due to the length and athleticism ISU has at the guard position with Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert, it will be imperative for Elijah Hawkins to remain scorching hot as he was against Utah and BYU from an assist-turnover ratio perspective. Darrion Williams will also be key here, I am curious if Tech will try to run the offense through him if this is a close one late, like they did v. BYU.
-ISU is an above average rebounding team but not as daunting metrically as BYU was earlier in the week. The Cyclones rank 51st in the country in offensive rebounding and 72nd in the country on the defensive end.
-An intriguing piece for ISU is Milan Momcilovic, who played well last year v. TTU. He has knocked down 30 threes and is the best shooter from deep for ISU by percentage at 43.5%. The forward is one of the few three point shooters for this team as just 26.1% of ISU's points come from beyond the arc, 301st in the nation from that perspective. ISU thrives from getting into the paint, scoring, and getting to the line. Over 50% of their points have come from inside the arc and ISU has a 40.7% FTA/FGA rate. On the flip side of that, Tech's defense has been slightly above average of sending teams to the line. It's going to be a big challenge for Tech's pair of bigs, and absolutely key that they avoid foul trouble this afternoon.
Hope to see everyone there in a white out in just a little bit.
@ALL HANDS
KenPom Proj Margin: ISU 77-76
Iowa State: KenPom No. 4. Off Eff: 6, Def Eff: 9.
-One of the best teams in the nation metrically and the second best team in the conference on KenPom (Houston 3). This is a team who has lost once, against widely regarded one of the best teams in the country in Auburn, by two points, on a neutral court.
-Iowa State is one of the best teams in the country at taking care of the basketball, carrying just a 13.6% turnover rate, good for 7th best in the country and best in the Big 12 by a longshot. The next best Big 12 team is Houston at 15.1% (36th), and Texas Tech 15.2% (42nd).
-Similarly, on the other end of the floor, Iowa State's ability to turn teams over is top-20 in the country at 18th with a 22.4% rate and 13.9% steal rate (13th in country). Largely due to the length and athleticism ISU has at the guard position with Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert, it will be imperative for Elijah Hawkins to remain scorching hot as he was against Utah and BYU from an assist-turnover ratio perspective. Darrion Williams will also be key here, I am curious if Tech will try to run the offense through him if this is a close one late, like they did v. BYU.
-ISU is an above average rebounding team but not as daunting metrically as BYU was earlier in the week. The Cyclones rank 51st in the country in offensive rebounding and 72nd in the country on the defensive end.
-An intriguing piece for ISU is Milan Momcilovic, who played well last year v. TTU. He has knocked down 30 threes and is the best shooter from deep for ISU by percentage at 43.5%. The forward is one of the few three point shooters for this team as just 26.1% of ISU's points come from beyond the arc, 301st in the nation from that perspective. ISU thrives from getting into the paint, scoring, and getting to the line. Over 50% of their points have come from inside the arc and ISU has a 40.7% FTA/FGA rate. On the flip side of that, Tech's defense has been slightly above average of sending teams to the line. It's going to be a big challenge for Tech's pair of bigs, and absolutely key that they avoid foul trouble this afternoon.
Hope to see everyone there in a white out in just a little bit.
@ALL HANDS
