No. 9 KU basketball faces ‘legitimate national title contender’ in No. 2 Iowa State
Off to a 14-1 start with its only loss a two-point decision to No. 1-ranked Auburn, Iowa State enters Wednesday’s Big 12 battle against No. 9 Kansas as the No. 2-rated team in the AP poll for the first time in school history.
“This may be the best team they’ve ever had, and ever is a long time,” KU coach Bill Self said Monday, speaking in advance of a 6 p.m. clash at Hilton Coliseum where the Cyclones have won 27 consecutive games.
The game will be shown live on ESPN2.
“They’ve always been terrific defensively. They may be the best offensive team in the country. This is a legitimate national title contender,” Self added of an ISU squad that averages 86.2 points a game and allows 65.9.
KU, meanwhile, averages 77.3 points per game while surrendering 62.1 points per contest.
The Jayhawks (12-3), who have won three straight games and five of six, are off to a 3-1 start in the league. Iowa State is 4-0 coming off an 85-84 overtime victory at Texas Tech.
ISU will be two games ahead of KU in the league standings if it wins Wednesday. If KU wins, the two teams would be tied in conference action at 4-1 apiece.
“It’s way too early,” Self said, asked by a reporter if Wednesday’s game classifies as “must-win” for the Jayhawks.
“Whenever you go on the road and you’ve got to have a must win at the No. 2-ranked team in the country, that puts a little bit too much pressure on a situation. We should go up there and play free and play easy,” Self said.
“I’m not lying, I wish Iowa State would’ve lost. I wish Houston would’ve lost. I wish Arizona would’ve lost (teams that started the week 4-0). Matter of fact, I wish there were 15 other teams in our league that lost on Saturday, but that’s not how it works.”
How does Self view the race?
“I don’t consider us being in the race at this moment. I don’t consider us being out of it. I think we put ourselves in a hard position (by losing opener at home to West Virginia),” Self added. “If you looked at the conference race, our schedule is different than most. We’re playing the two best teams in our league (Houston, Iowa State) twice each. So those are hard games. But the biggest thing is, hey, let’s just try to get better each and every day. And we’ve got a great opportunity on Wednesday.”
The Cyclones are led by guards Curtis Jones (17.3 ppg, 42 assists to 11 turnovers), Keshon Gilbert (16.1 ppg, 70 assists to 44 turnovers) and Tamin Lipsey (10.4 ppg, 49 assists to 19 turnovers).
Jones, the first guard off the bench, has converted a team-leading 41 3s in 105 attempts (39%). Forward Milan Momcilovic (10..3 ppg) has made 31 3s in 70 tries for 44.3%.
“They are definitely a high-powered team, probably one of the better backcourts in the country led by three really good guards, three guards that all can take over a game,” said KU center Hunter Dickinson, who leads the Jayhawks in scoring (15.8) and rebounding (10.5).
“Lipsey (36 steals, 15 games) has been one of the better perimeter defenders in the country the last two or so years. It’ll be a big test for us going on the road against the high-powered offense. We’ll see how good our defense truly is,” Dickinson added.
Dickinson said the Jayhawks will “try to hang our hat” on defense, particularly with the success of the last couple games. However, he continued, “I also expect to see our offense shine through and see guys hit some shots. I think we’re kind of due for that.”
The two teams play twice this season. ISU will travel to KU on Feb. 3 for Big Monday.
“I think any time you play a team ranked as high as Iowa State you get fired up,” Self said. “T.J. (Otzelberger) has himself a squad. They probably have the three best guards on the same team in America. All three can shoot and are great defensively. They have a couple bangers. Jefferson (6-9 Joshua, 12.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg) defends, screens, rebounds. They’re deep. They’ve done a great job there.”
The Cyclones are 9-0 at home this season. Their 27-game overall home win streak is 12 shy of the longest win streak in Hilton history — 39 games from Feb. 16, 1999 to Nov. 30, 2001.
“I believe the toughest home courts are ones that have the best players playing on them. It’s hard to win anywhere on the road. If they’ve got pros and other good guys that makes it especially hard,” Self said. “Hilton from a perspective of fan involvement, participation and student involvement is a good as any place in our league. I know we’re looking forward to it and our players are too.”
The Jayhawks will return home to face Kansas State at 12 p.m. Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.
