Kansas State-Iowa State basketball preview

6 p.m. Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kan.

ESPNU; WHB (810 AM)

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The Cyclones are tied with Texas for second place in the Big 12 standings, but they will need to play well to surpass the Longhorns. Iowa State’s closing stretch includes games at Kansas State and Baylor, as well as a home game against Oklahoma State. Winning on the road has been difficult for the Cyclones. They have lost four of their last six away from home. Melvin Ejim, Georges Niang and DeAndre Kane are three of the top players in the Big 12. Ejim will challenge for the league’s scoring title, while Kane and Niang both average more than 16 points.

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The Wildcats have been stellar at home since opening the season with a loss to Northern Colorado. They have tied a Bramlage Coliseum record with 14 straight victories, and they can break that record with a win over Iowa State. K-State is tied for fourth in the Big 12 standings, and is hoping to make a push for second. Marcus Foster has been scoring at an impressive rate, and he is now averaging 15.3 points. Freshman forward Wesley Iwundu appeared to break out of a slump by playing well at Texas Tech.

This game will come down to defense. If K-State can hold Iowa State to 75 points or fewer, it will likely win. But the Wildcats won’t keep up with the Cyclones if they hit 80 points.

This story was originally published February 28, 2014 at 4:36 PM with the headline "Kansas State-Iowa State basketball preview."