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Preview: Northern Iowa vs. Iowa State
No. 18 Iowa State looks to improve to 7-0 for the first time since 2003-04 when it faces Northern Iowa on Saturday in the Hy-Vee Big Four Classic in Des Moines. The high-powered Cyclones have been red hot of late, averaging 99.7 points over their last three contests. The Panthers have been up and down all season, alternating wins and losses through their first seven contests.
The Cyclones are one of just three teams in the country with six players averaging in double figures in scoring, led by seniors Melvin Ejim (17 points, 8 rebounds) and DeAndre Kane (15, 7.5, 5.1 assists). Iowa State doesn’t forget to play defense either, allowing an average of only 65.2 points. Northern Iowa has had its struggles on the offensive end, averaging 73.3 points and scoring 70 or more just three times.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, N/A
ABOUT NORTHERN IOWA (3-4): Consistency has been a problem for the Panthers this year, from game to game and half to half. Northern Iowa is coming off yet another disappointing loss, a setback against Milwaukee in which it couldn’t keep its offensive thrust going for a full 40 minutes and squandered a double-digit second-half lead. “If we’re not getting stops and rebounds, it slows us down,” guard Deon Mitchell told the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. “When we get a lead, we need to keep taking it to the next level.”
ABOUT IOWA STATE (6-0): As good as the Cyclones have been thus far, they could be even better as Dustin Hogue continues to learn the college game. The juco transfer already has performed well, averaging a Big 12-best 9.3 rebounds and impressing his teammates with his intensity and drive for the ball when he’s on the court. “He’s a beast out there,” Ejim told the Ames Tribune. “He’s just a good player, and he’s been going out there battling. I think I’ve got to turn my intensity up to keep up with this kid.”
TIP-INS
1. Northern Iowa is 10-17 against ranked opponents since coach Ben Jacobson joined the staff in 2001-02.
2. Iowa State leads the Big 12 in assists (20.5) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8).
3. The Cyclones lead the all-time series 35-12, but Northern Iowa has won the last three meetings.
PREDICTION: Iowa State 89, Northern Iowa 75
