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No. 3 Iowa State Brings Depth and Momentum to Face Iowa
The annual Iowa State-Iowa basketball rivalry promises another thrilling chapter as the No. 3 Cyclones (7-1) visit the Hawkeyes (7-2) on Thursday night in Iowa City. Iowa State enters the game with confidence after a dominant stretch, including a victory over then-No. 5 Marquette, but they’ll face an Iowa squad eager to defend its home court and avenge last season’s 90-65 loss.
Cyclones Show Balance and Efficiency
Iowa State showcased its depth and balance in a 100-58 rout of Jackson State on Sunday. Fueled by five players scoring in double figures, the Cyclones shot an impressive 50.7 percent from the field. Curtis Jones came off the bench to lead the team with 19 points, hitting 5-for-10 from beyond the arc. Milan Momcilovic added 18 points, with 4 of 6 shooting from deep, while Joshua Jefferson contributed a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Head coach T.J. Otzelberger emphasized the importance of spreading the scoring load:
“With our team, we talk all the time about balance. It’s because there’s a lot of guys that can score the ball. To get their confidence up to see the ball go through the basket, that’s always a positive thing.”
Still, Otzelberger noted areas for improvement, particularly in rebounding and contesting shots, as the Cyclones prepare to face a more competitive Iowa team.
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Iowa’s Resilience in Close Games
Iowa comes into the matchup after a hard-fought 85-83 loss to Michigan in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes showed grit, rallying from double-digit deficits in both halves to tie the game in the final seconds before falling just short. Payton Sandfort led the comeback effort, scoring 16 of his team-high 19 points in the second half, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 20 seconds left.
Head coach Fran McCaffery praised his team’s fight despite the loss:
“Fighting back, fighting back, fighting back. I’m just really proud of that fight.”
The Hawkeyes’ bench, impacted by injuries to Seydou Traore (ankle) and Cooper Koch, received key contributions from players like Pryce Sandfort and Josh Dix, who both scored 16 points. However, free-throw shooting remains a concern, with Iowa converting just 66 percent from the line this season, including a 10-for-17 performance against Michigan.
Keys to the Game
For Iowa State, maintaining offensive balance and defensive intensity will be critical. The Cyclones’ ability to share the ball and hit from deep has made them a top-ranked team, and they’ll look to exploit Iowa’s defensive lapses while controlling the boards.
Iowa will need to tighten its defense against Iowa State’s balanced attack and improve its free-throw shooting to capitalize on scoring opportunities. A return from Seydou Traore could provide a needed boost, while Payton Sandfort’s ability to spark runs will be crucial.
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Rivalry History and Stakes
Iowa leads the all-time series 48-29 and has won four straight home games in the rivalry. However, Iowa State’s emphatic 90-65 win last season will fuel both teams’ motivations in this highly anticipated showdown.
With bragging rights on the line, this clash between the Cyclones and Hawkeyes promises intensity and excitement in one of college basketball’s storied rivalries.
