Okay, the stage is set. Ohio State is the No. 11 seed and will travel out west to Tulsa, Oklahoma to face the Big Twelve Tournament Champion Iowa State. Here’s everything you need to know about the Cyclones as we get ready for the game Friday night.
What Iowa State Does Well
The Cyclones will push the pace and have shooters that can knock down shots from multiple spots on the floor. They have four players that average double figures because they share the ball well and take good looks.
It’s all about shooting the ball for Iowa State. It makes almost 50% of its shots from the floor, doesn’t turn the ball over much and doesn’t give you a whole lot of other possessions via turnovers. Basically, the team is solid across the board, highly skilled, and won’t lose a game. You have to earn it.
Next … How to beat Iowa State
The Chink In The Armour Of Iowa State
Because of the great sharing of the basketball and ability to shoot from the perimeter, the Cyclones don’t penetrate inside and get to the line very much. They don’t turn you over a ton, and that should play into the hands of Ohio State — a team that has been more charitable than the local church congregation. It’s all about matching possessions and you can do that against a team that has — at times — given up some scoring.
You have to shoot well, you have to guard the perimeter hard, and then rebound like crazy while taking care of the ball. If you do, the ability to make baskets and run your offense will be available.
Next … Iowa State’s best player
Cyclone player to watch
Guard Marial Shayok is the team’s best player. He leads the Cyclones in scoring at 18.6 points per game, shoots almost 40% from beyond the ark, and can also distribute the ball and get on the boards from the guard spot a bit. Oh, he also hits free-throws at an 88% clip, so forget about fouling him.
Ohio State will have to run defenders in and out on him to keep fresh and make life difficult on the outside. The Buckeyes simply cannot let him get open looks on the outside because he will make you pay.
Next … Player that can surprise and be a hero
Iowa State’s Unsung Hero
Michael Jacobson. The 6-9, 231 lb. junior forward does the hard work on the blocks for a team dominated by its guard play. He only averages the sixth most minutes on the team, but he makes them count. He is the Cyclones’ leading rebounder, cleaning up missed shots and scrapping down low to get putback baskets and provide a presence in the paint when needed. He doesn’t get a high volume of shots, but thanks to his 58.2% shooting, averages 11.5 points per game.
