The Hawkeyes will try to extend their winning streak to three games when they host the in-state rival Cyclones at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Friday. ISU has won three straight games in the series and come into this encounter with its own two-game winning streak. The Cyclones’ only two losses this season have come away from home to nationally ranked teams in Cincinnati and UNLV. Both squads average more than 74 points but allow under 65, so something has to give.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network.
ABOUT IOWA STATE (6-2): The Cyclones leads the Big 12 in both 3-pointers (9.5) and 3-point shooting (36.9 percent). Point guard Korie Lucious, a transfer from Michigan State, has come on in ISU’s last two games. Averaging nine assists, he comes off a 17-point effort, including five 3-pointers, against Florida Gulf Coast. Guard Will Clyburn leads the Cyclones in scoring at 16.1 points, and his 8.4 rebounds rank second in the Big 12 behind teammate Melvin Ejim’s 9.3. As a team, ISU is third in the nation in rebounds with an average of 45.6.
ABOUT IOWA (7-2): Coach Fran McCaffery has gone young with his starting lineup in the last two games, starting three freshmen – guards Mike Gesell and Anthony Clemmons and 7-1 center Adam Woodbury. The moves came after Iowa dropped two straight, and the Hawkeyes have responded with the young trio, going 2-0, with both wins coming by 20-plus points. Roy Devyn Marble still is the centerpiece of the Hawkeyes, leading the team in scoring (14.4 ppg) and assists (3.4). Aaron White is a workhorse inside, leading the team with 6.4 rebounds while scoring 13.7 points. McCaffery likes to use his bench, playing at least 10 players in each of the team’s first nine games.
TIP-INS
1. Iowa State has scored 70 or more points in all eight of its games this season, marking just the fourth time in school history the Cyclones have accomplished the feat.
2. Iowa has made more free throws (168) than its opponents have attempted (159) this season.
3. Iowa leads the overall series 42-23, with the home team winning seven of the last eight meetings. The only visiting team to win in that span was Iowa State in 2010.
PREDICTION: Iowa State 74, Iowa 70.
