Players to watch: Iowa State hosts Arkansas
Sophomore guard Matt Thomas shoots over outstretched Lamar junior center LeMon Gregory. ISU beat Lamar 96-59 on Dec. 2 at Hilton Coliseum.
December 4, 2014
Iowa State
Bryce Dejean-Jones — Averaging 14.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block per game, Dejean-Jones has made his ISU debut anything but quiet. The UNLV transfer is exceeding the high expectations set for him and will be an integral part in breaking down the Arkansas defense both inside and outside.
Matt Thomas — After serving a two-game suspension, Thomas has started his sophomore season off with a bang, averaging 11.0 points per game while shooting 50.0 percent from the field. Against a hot-shooting team like Arkansas, Thomas’s shooting skills will likely be utilized early and often coming off the bench.
Arkansas
Michael Qualls — The big guard is making a high percentage of shots and already has three 20-point performances this season. Qualls has started to establish himself as one of the team’s top rebounders and will be a threat both inside and outside for the Razorbacks.
Bobby Portis — The 6-foot-11-inch former McDonald’s All-American is likely to give Iowa State fits down low when the Razorbacks aren’t shooting from outside. He is a physical mismatch for the Cyclones and will likely draw double-teams, dangerously opening up sharp shooters.
