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No. 10 Iowa State Prepares for Tough Test Against Red-Hot Cincinnati
No. 10 Iowa State will try to extend its winning streak to three games when it hosts a surging Cincinnati team on Saturday in Ames, Iowa.
The Cyclones (19-5, 9-4 Big 12) are coming off back-to-back dominant victories—a 30-point rout of TCU last weekend followed by a 76-64 win over UCF on Tuesday. After a three-game skid earlier this month, Iowa State looks like it has rediscovered its winning formula.
However, Cincinnati (15-9, 5-8 Big 12) has also found its rhythm, entering Saturday’s matchup on a three-game win streak after double-digit wins against UCF, BYU, and Utah. Their most recent victory, an 85-75 win over Utah, showed just how dangerous this team can be when clicking on both ends of the court.
Iowa State Focused on Strong Finish
Cyclones coach T.J. Otzelberger believes his team is peaking at the right time as the conference schedule enters its final month.
“There (are) some really awesome things happening in front of our eyes,” Otzelberger said. “If you don’t really enjoy them and appreciate them when they are happening, they can pass you by.”
Iowa State has been fueled by five players averaging double figures this season:
- Curtis Jones (17.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.3 APG)
- Keshon Gilbert (14.7 PPG, 4.5 APG)
- Joshua Jefferson (12.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, team leader in rebounds)
- Tamin Lipsey (10.4 PPG)
- Milan Momcilovic (10.1 PPG)
With a balanced attack and home-court advantage, Iowa State will look to protect Hilton Coliseum and continue climbing the Big 12 standings.
Cincinnati Hitting Its Stride Despite Injuries
The Bearcats have turned a corner in recent weeks, but they have done it without key guard Connor Hickman, who has been out since early January with a foot injury.
“He’s the toughest kid,” Cincinnati coach Wes Miller said of Hickman. “We’ve missed him dearly—his leadership, his toughness, his offense. But I wouldn’t rule anything out.”
Cincinnati has also relied on a balanced scoring approach, with four players averaging double figures:
- Jizzle James (11.7 PPG, team leader in scoring)
- Simas Lukosius (11.5 PPG)
- Dillon Mitchell (10.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, team leader in rebounds)
- Dan Skillings Jr. (10.1 PPG)
The Bearcats lead the all-time series 4-3, but Iowa State won the most recent meeting 68-59 in February 2024.
Can Cincinnati Keep Rolling or Will Iowa State Hold Its Ground?
This Big 12 battle is shaping up to be a tough, physical matchup between two teams trending in the right direction. Iowa State has the firepower and home-court edge, but Cincinnati is playing with confidence and will not go down without a fight. Expect a must-watch showdown in Ames on Saturday.
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