Pavle Markovic, Sports Reporter (0-0)
No. 24 Iowa State 66, Texas Tech 62
The Iowa State women’s basketball team has to be on cloud nine following the week it just had, beating two of the top-25 teams in the country at home in front of great crowds. But it will have to know that taking its foot off of the gas is not an option, especially in the Big 12, as the Cyclones will travel to Lubbock, Texas, to take on Texas Tech.
The Lady Raiders have thrived at home with their 10-1 record in Lubbock, with their only loss coming against No. 10 Texas. Texas Tech has also been headlined by their two leading scorers in guards Bailey Maupin and Jasmine Shavers who have each averaged over 14 points per game.
Iowa State has been a near-perfect team on the road with its 3-1 record, and the only loss came back in November when the Cyclones fell to Drake in Des Moines, Iowa. It will be another difficult road test for the Cyclones to overcome, but I do have Iowa State pulling out a slim victory to continue its undefeated Big 12 record while having a nine-game win streak.
No. 24 Iowa State 73, TCU 59
TCU has not had the best luck in Big 12 conference play thus far, going 1-4 with its only win coming from its first conference game against BYU. The Horned Frogs have also had an issue winning on the road, as they have gone winless in all three of their road matchups in the Big 12.
One thing that has worked well for TCU has come from center Sedona Prince and guard Madison Conner. Both Prince and Conner lead the team and the Big 12 in scoring with each player averaging over 20 points per game. Iowa State’s defense has forced the third-lowest shooting percentage (36.7%) in the Big 12, so it may be difficult for the Horned Frog pairing to reach their projected totals.
TCU has also been known for its stout defense this season, as it ranks within the top five of each defensive category in the Big 12. While Iowa State has found some recent success in terms of getting the ball in the basket, it will be difficult to find a lot of success against this Horned Frogs front.
Coming into Hilton Coliseum will not make it any easier for TCU to get its first conference road win. I have them remaining winless on the road in conference play, as Iowa State should handle the Horned Frogs’ two leading scorers.
Brett Twelmeyer, Sports Reporter (0-0)
No. 24 Iowa State 72, Texas Tech 67
At 2-3 in league play, Texas Tech has not shown they are contenders in the Big 12 with wins over Houston and Kansas. Both schools beat Kansas at home, but Iowa State beat Oklahoma State on the road while Texas Tech did not.
Simply put, Iowa State is better than Texas Tech in nearly every stat category. Shooting, rebounding, assists and even the turnover margin all favor the Cyclones.
The one issue Iowa State may face is height difference. Texas Tech has four players either as tall as or taller than Audi Crooks and Isnelle Natabou, so the battle inside could move outside quickly, forcing Iowa State to can a few threes.
Crooks winning Big 12 Player of the Week last week and being a part of putting the Cyclones in the top 25 for the first time this season should bring even more momentum into this game for Iowa State. I believe this winning streak will survive another road test.
No. 24 Iowa State 68, TCU 61
TCU is an interesting team. With one of the oldest rosters in the Big 12, the experience of the Horned Frogs versus the youth of the Cyclones could be a big focal point of Saturday’s game.
It seems TCU drew the short stick this week, as it gets to play the two teams who have yet to lose a conference game. TCU hosts No. 7 Kansas State before coming to Ames to play Iowa State.
Knowing these tough opponents are ahead, the Horned Frogs will be looking to spoil the Wildcats’ and the Cyclones’ seasons. TCU started strong with a win against BYU before things quickly spiraled out of control, losing its last four games.
Two teams on completely different streaks, with the one that has been winning when hosting the matchup, will again not do TCU any favors. Youthful or not, I like the Cyclones to defend the home court against a struggling TCU team.
