Three-minute preview: No. 4 Kansas at No. 14 Iowa State

No. 4 Kansas at No. 14 Iowa State

WHEN/WHERE: 8 p.m. Monday at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa

TV/RADIO: ESPN; KCSP (610 AM)

ABOUT KANSAS (16-3, 5-2 Big 12): As Kansas moves into the heart of Big 12 play, coach Bill Self says his frontcourt rotation could be dependent on matchups. Example: Monday night could be a tough game for junior big man Landen Lucas, who started and played 23 minutes against Texas on Saturday. Against the Longhorns, Self needed a center to bang with Texas’ Prince Ibeh. But Iowa State features a smaller, more versatile frontcourt, and we may see more of senior Jamari Traylor and freshman Carlton Bragg as a result. It will also be interesting to see how Self uses freshman forward Cheick Diallo after not playing him in a 76-67 victory over Texas. “This isn’t a popularity contest or ‘Everybody feel good and have cookies and milk after the game,’” Self said following the game. “The most important thing is to win.” Entering Monday night, the Jayhawks have lost three of four against Iowa State since winning 18 of 19 in the series from 2006 to 2014. Kansas suffered an 86-81 loss at Hilton Coliseum last season and has also lost two straight to the Cyclones at the Big 12 tournament. Monday starts an intriguing stretch for Kansas. The Jayhawks will play host to College GameDay and Kentucky on Saturday before facing K-State at Allen Fieldhouse at 8 p.m. on Feb. 3.

ABOUT IOWA STATE (15-4, 4-3 Big 12): When Fred Holberg left Iowa State for the Chicago Bulls, the school tapped Murray State coach Steve Prohm to lead an already-stocked roster. The transition to a new coach has produced a few growing pains thus far, but statistically speaking, the Prohm Cyclones look a lot like the Holberg Cyclones. Entering Monday’s home game with Kansas, Iowa State ranks sixth in the country in offensive efficiency and 74th on defense, a split nearly identical to last season. After starting the season in the top-10, the Cyclones have lost four of their last seven, including a non-conference loss to Northern Iowa and three setbacks in the Big 12. After suffering a home loss to Baylor and road defeat at Texas, Iowa State likely needs a victory on Monday to stay relevant in the Big 12 race. The Cyclones’ starting lineup is one of the best in the Big 12, but a season-ending injury to guard Naz Long has left the roster lacking depth. Reserve guard Matt Thomas, a 42-percent three-point shooter, has joined the starting lineup, but Iowa State is mostly dependent on All-American candidate Georges Niang and junior point guard Monte Morris. The good news: The Cyclones have won three straight, including road victories at K-State and TCU and a home victory over Oklahoma.

This story was originally published January 24, 2016 at 4:58 PM with the headline "Three-minute preview: No. 4 Kansas at No. 14 Iowa State."