Iowa State Cyclones vs Morgan State Bears Picks and Predictions December 22nd 2024

No. 3 Iowa State Hosts Morgan State in Final Nonconference Tune-Up

Iowa State aims to extend its winning streak to seven games as it fine-tunes its game ahead of Big 12 Conference play against a Will Thomas-led Morgan State squad.

Cyclones Gearing Up for Big 12 Challenges

The No. 3 Iowa State Cyclones (9-1) have one more nonconference hurdle before diving into the rigors of Big 12 play. With a dominant 83-51 victory over Omaha on Dec. 15, Iowa State is riding high on a six-game winning streak.

Iowa State’s balanced offense is a major strength, with five players averaging double figures:

• Keshon Gilbert leads the team with 16.4 points per game and a team-high five assists.
• Curtis Jones averages 15.7 points, shooting an impressive 40 percent from 3-point range.
• Milan Momcilovic contributes 11.8 points, hitting 46.9 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.
• Joshua Jefferson (11.5 ppg) and Dishon Jackson (10.9 ppg) round out the top scorers.

The Cyclones’ nonconference schedule has also allowed head coach T.J. Otzelberger to develop depth. Reserve Brandton Chatfield has shown promise, averaging 3.2 points and 3.7 rebounds in limited action.

“Brandt’s confidence is continuing to grow,” Otzelberger said. “He’s showing improvement in practice and earning trust from his teammates. He’s got a bright future ahead.”

With a perfect 6-0 home record, the Cyclones are expected to bring their trademark defensive intensity and efficient offense into this matchup.

Morgan State Seeks Upset

Morgan State (6-8) faces its first ranked opponent of the season, hoping to build on momentum from an 86-76 win against Campbell on Dec. 15. However, the Bears have struggled on the road, going winless (0-6) away from home this season.

The Bears’ top performers include:

• Wynston Tabbs, leading the team with 16.1 points per game.
• Will Thomas, averaging 12.9 points per game and shooting a remarkable 63.2 percent from 3-point range this season.
• Amahrie Simpkins, adding 12.3 points per game on 59.4 percent shooting from the field.

Thomas is coming off a standout performance, scoring 27 points on 12-of-19 shooting against Campbell. His transformation as a 3-point shooter, after hitting just 20.3 percent last season, has been a bright spot for Morgan State.

“I’ve been working on the three ball a lot the last few months,” Thomas said. “Just trying to perfect that.”

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Key Matchup

This game pits Iowa State’s depth and home-court dominance against Morgan State’s hot-handed scorers, led by Thomas. The Cyclones’ defensive discipline and ability to limit turnovers will be critical in neutralizing Morgan State’s offensive threats.

For Morgan State, staying competitive will hinge on their ability to contain Iowa State’s multi-dimensional attack and finding consistent offensive contributions beyond Thomas.

With Iowa State unbeaten at home and Morgan State winless on the road, the Cyclones are heavily favored. However, Morgan State’s potential for sharp shooting could make them a dangerous opponent.