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No. 2 Iowa State Faces West Virginia, Aiming to Stay Focused
The No. 2 Iowa State Cyclones continue their remarkable season as they visit West Virginia on Saturday evening in what promises to be a high-energy Big 12 showdown. With a 12-game winning streak and their highest national ranking in school history, the Cyclones look to maintain their momentum while the Mountaineers aim to play spoiler at home.
Iowa State Staying Focused Amidst Success
The Cyclones (15-1, 5-0 Big 12) are fresh off a dominant 17-point win over No. 9 Kansas, a victory that further solidified their standing as one of the nation’s top teams. However, head coach T.J. Otzelberger is ensuring that his squad remains grounded and focused.
“As you’re in this, what you realize is as soon as the horn goes off on one game, your thought process goes on to, ‘What do we need to do tonight, tomorrow, to be successful the next game?'” Otzelberger said. “We’re locked into the moment, as opposed to patting ourselves on the back for maybe what has happened up to this point or looking ahead at what could happen past this point.”
This mindset has fueled Iowa State’s dominant stretch, with six of their last seven wins coming by double digits.
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Key Players for Iowa State
- Curtis Jones (17.8 PPG) – The team’s leading scorer, providing consistent offensive production.
- Keshon Gilbert (15.5 PPG, 4.9 APG) – A dynamic playmaker who leads the Cyclones in assists.
- Joshua Jefferson (11.9 PPG) & Tamin Lipsey (10.4 PPG) – Strong secondary scorers who contribute on both ends.
- Dishon Jackson (9.9 PPG) – Just shy of double figures but provides a key presence inside.
The Cyclones will have to adjust without Milan Momcilovic (10.3 PPG, 44.3% 3PT), who is out indefinitely with a hand injury. However, their depth and balanced attack give them plenty of options to fill the void.
West Virginia Aiming to Pull the Upset
The Mountaineers (12-4, 3-2 Big 12) return home after a two-game road trip, where they split results—winning 78-70 vs. Colorado before falling 70-54 to No. 10 Houston. Now back in Morgantown, where they boast an 8-1 home record, West Virginia hopes to shock the Cyclones in front of a sellout crowd.
A Special Night Honoring Jerry West
Saturday’s game will be an emotional one for the Mountaineers’ fanbase, as West Virginia will honor the late Jerry West—one of the greatest players in basketball history and a former Mountaineer legend. A ceremony and video tributes will be held, with many of West’s family members in attendance.
West Virginia’s Key Players
- Javon Small (19.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.2 APG) – A do-it-all leader, ranking first on the team in points, rebounds, and assists.
- Tucker DeVries (14.9 PPG) – Provides scoring punch and perimeter shooting.
- Amani Hansberry (10.1 PPG) – Came off the bench for 16 points against Houston, showcasing his ability to provide a spark.
Head coach Darian DeVries emphasized limiting turnovers as a key focus against Iowa State’s pressure defense.
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“Amani gave us a spark in the second half,” DeVries said. “But every time we got back in there, it seemed like it was a big turnover from us that didn’t give us a shot to even get a ball up at the rim.”
Can Iowa State Stay Unbeaten in Big 12 Play?
This game presents a contrast in strengths:
- Iowa State is undefeated in conference play and has been dominant on both ends of the floor.
- West Virginia thrives at home and has the emotional edge with a packed arena and a tribute to Jerry West.
With West Virginia’s home-court energy and Iowa State’s composure and firepower, this Big 12 battle will be one to watch.
Can the Cyclones continue their winning ways, or will the Mountaineers pull off a statement upset in Morgantown? Saturday night will provide the answer.
