How the Kansas Jayhawks can keep their winning streak going at No. 5 Iowa State
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kansas visits No. 5 Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum with a noon CT tipoff.
- Iowa State is elite from 3 (40%) and defense (No. 6), with low bench minutes.
- Key for Kansas: limit Cyclones’ perimeter shooting and attack inside.
The Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team travels to Ames, Iowa, Saturday to face No. 5 Iowa State.
No. 9 KU (19-5) upset No. 1 Arizona on Monday, while Iowa State lost to TCU on Tuesday.
Here is more about Saturday’s game, including a scouting report and prediction:
Kansas basketball vs. Iowa State: Game details
When: Noon Central Time on Saturday
Where: Hilton Coliseum (Ames, Iowa)
TV/streaming: ABC
Opponent’s record: 21-3
KenPom (Ken Pomeroy) ranking: 7
Betting line: Iowa State is an 3.5-point favorite.
All statistics are from KenPom.com and EvanMiya. KenPom stats include only Division-I competition.
Iowa State Strengths
- Shot-makers: Iowa State ranks No. 10 effective field goal percentage (58.3).
- Long-ball hitters: The Cyclones are shooting 40% on 3-pointers, ranking No. 4 nationally.
- Elite defense: Iowa State ranks No. 6 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency (92), which measures the number of points allowed per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponent.
Iowa State Weaknesses
- Lack of bench trust: Iowa State ranks No. 290 in bench minutes percentage (27.7).
- Free-throw woes: The Cyclones rank No. 325 in team free-throw percentage (67.7).
- Turnover prone: Iowa State ranks No. 115 in turnover percentage (16).
Iowa State Name to Know
6-foot-8 junior forward Milan Momcilovic (No. 22)
+ Good, dependable scorer (18.4 points per game)
+ Elite from deep (52% on 3-pointers)
+ Good efficiency (shooting 54% from the field)
+ Great free-throw shooter (90% at the line)
- Not much of a passer (1 assist per game)
- Okay rebounder (3.3 per game)
Kansas-Iowa State game prediction
This should be a fun matchup. In recent years, the Jayhawks have struggled against Iowa State in Ames.
The key to a Jayhawks victory Saturday starts with limiting Iowa State from beyond the arc. If the Cyclones get hot and the crowd really gets going, this game could devolve quickly. KU needs to force the Cyclones inside, as big man Flory Bidunga is a great deterrent at the rim.
On the offensive end, KU should take it inside and force Iowa State to defend drivers like Melvin Council and freshman star Darryn Peterson. ISU’s defense on two-pointers isn’t the best.
This game should be close. KU can’t let Iowa State get off to big lead early. It would be hard to mount a comeback at Hilton.
Coming into this game red-hot and with Peterson playing, I like the Jayhawks.
Prediction: Kansas 76, Iowa State 73
Shreyas’ pick to cover the spread: Kansas (+3.5)
Shreyas’ season record: 20-4
Shreyas’ record against the spread: 17-7
KU Player to Watch: Tre White
After a stellar start to the season, Tre White has slowed down in recent weeks. He scored just four points against Arizona, but let’s see if he can bounce back against the Cyclones.
When the these two teams last faced each other, White scored 19. KU needs him again Saturday, and his defense against Momcilovic will also help decide who wins this matchup.
