DENVER — What takes place between Iona and Iowa State in the first round of the NCAA tournament might resemble a track meet more so than a basketball game.

Iowa State’s 81.8 points per game and Iona’s 79.6 points per game are both in the top 30 nationally with both teams playing a run-and-gun style and featuring multiple big time scoring threats.

“I think they’re obviously bigger, stronger, more athletic and they play very similar on the offensive end,” said Iona coach Tim Cluess. “Defensively, we’re a little bit different in that we press a little bit more than they do and we’ll mix up defenses a little bit more.”

Both teams have the ability to play fast, but Iowa State wants to be the one that sets the pace of play. The high altitude of Denver could be a concern, and with a short rotation Iowa State wants to be the one deciding just how fast or slow the two teams will play.

“We must dictate the game,” said Deonte Burton.

With both teams featuring high-powered offenses, it’s not surprising that ISU senior Georges Niang said getting timely stops will be the key to the game.

Both teams are likely to score their fair share of points, but whoever can get stops down the stretch is likely to emerge as the victor.

“The biggest thing with them is you can’t let them get hot,” Niang said. “When they get hot they really get going so we’re going to have to find ways to stop them defensively, get timely defensive stops and on offense really play our game.”

Niang will likely be the focus of the Iona defense, but Cluess said Niang’s ability to pass the ball is what makes Iowa State’s defense so difficult to defend.

Cluess even went as far as comparing Niang to one of the best players in NBA history, Larry Bird.

“To me, he’s a throwback,” Cluess said. “A little Larry Bird like, maybe not quite as athletic, but does all those things. He passes the heck out of the ball, shoots the ball, posts you up. He just lets the game come to him. Whatever is available, he takes [it].

“[He] doesn’t really force the issue at all. Plays at great pace and plays under control the whole time. I think he’s the X-factor in the game. Obviously he makes your whole team go.”

Iona is led by A.J. English, a crafty senior guard who is averaging 22.4 points and 6.2 assists per game.

English has developed a relationship with Niang and ISU point guard Monté Morris, who he has met through summer basketball camps.

Niang and English played on the same team, while Morris and English talked throughout the camp and picked each other’s brains as fellow gaurds.

English has kept tabs on Iowa State this season, and Morris and Niang have kept up with English’s season as well.

“He just told me before the year, ‘Just make sure you’re watching me this year, man. I’m going to do my thing,’” Morris said of English. “And now we’re playing each other. It’s crazy.”