1. No depth, no problem?

The knock on Iowa State all season has been the its lack of depth. Iowa State typically only plays seven players, which is made even more difficult when foul trouble comes into play. Georges Niang played under four minutes in the first half due to his three fouls. Deonte Burton, Abdel Nader, Hallice Cooke and Jameel McKay all had two fouls in the first frame.

While it didn’t make things easy for Iowa State, it also wasn’t detrimental. The Cyclones survived, fending off Texas Tech for a 76-69 victory. 

“It was tough, but my teammates did a great job,” Niang said. “To see them out there and get an opportunity to make things happen with them on the court and me on the bench was exciting.”

2. Texas Tech no longer Big 12’s punching bag

Texas Tech is no joke and they proved it tonight. The Red Raiders kicked off Big 12 play with a win against Texas and played Iowa State tough, proving they aren’t the Big 12 punching bag they used to be.

Tubby Smith’s squad is 11-2 on the season and was receiving votes in the AP poll this week.

3. Matt Thomas earned his nickname 

“The Iceman” has been good all season, but Matt Thomas earned his nickname tonight. Thomas scored a career-high 22 points and drilled six 3-pointers in the win, including the biggest shot of the game.

Niang found Thomas on the opposite wing with 1:32 left and Iowa State leading by four points. Thomas stepped back and drilled a 3-pointer, which was followed up by a Monte Morris-to-Abdel Nader lob dunk on the following possession.

That late-game sequence proved to be a crucial stretch for Iowa State, as a four-point game was stretched to a nine-point game with just a minute remaining.

4. Jameel McKay can hit free throws

The big man had a big game with 19 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks, and shined in an area he usually struggles: Free-throw shooting.

McKay, was shooting 51.9 percent from the charity stripe coming into the game, hit on 9-of-11 free throws. He hit his first eight, before missing two of his last three.

McKay still wasn’t satisfied.

“That’s killing me right now,” McKay said. “I’ve been working all week on making 10 in a row and I didn’t get to it, so I’m a little upset.”

McKay said his better free-throw shooting is a result of hard work in the gym and some helpful advise from Thomas.

“Matt told me this about a week or so ago to just go to the line and act like I’m going to make the shot,” McKay said. “Think about making it. Don’t think about trying not to miss.”

5. Niang’s realization

Niang’s early foul trouble was a nuisance, but maybe forcing Niang to sit on the bench for 16 minutes in the first half was a good thing.

Niang had plenty of time to think about his first two fouls, which came in the first 2:17 of the game. He said he learned something from that.

“I’m not Jameel,” Niang said. “I’m not a shot blocker, so don’t try to jump off the ground like you are one. I’m going to learn, get back and watch film. This is a good learning experience for me.”