Iowa State Cyclones
Big 12 (23-10, 12-6)
Coach Steve Prohm is just in his second season at Iowa State, but has done a great job continuing their consistency. The Cyclones have reached the NCAA Tournament every year since 2012 and usually win a game or two once they get there. This is a very experienced squad that has proven that they can beat anybody. The Cyclones have played very well on the road too, beating Kansas in Lawrence and nearly knocking off Baylor.
Big Wins: 1/11 at Oklahoma State (96-86), 2/4 at Kansas (92-89), 2/25 Baylor (72-69)
Bad Losses: 12/8 at Iowa (64-78), 1/14 at TCU (77-84), 2/7 at Texas (65-67)
Coach: Steve Prohm
Why They Can Surprise:
The amount of talent and experience in the backcourt is staggering. Monte Morris leads the way with 16.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds. Morris is superb when it comes to attacking the basket and he is a huge reason why Iowa State commits a mere 10.2 turnovers per game. Nazareth Mitrou-Long, Matt Thomas and Deon Burton are also senior starters on the perimeter and average double figures in the scoring department. Mitrou-Long and Thomas are the main outside shooting threats on the team and both have been relatively consistent this season. With that much experience on the perimeter, Iowa State rarely beats themselves and that is especially important during the NCAA Tournament.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Coach Steve Prohm does not have much of a choice except to play small. His frontcourt lacks bodies and it shows on the glass and defensively. Freshman Solomon Young has done an admirable job, but transfers David Bowie and Merrill Holden have not had as big of an impact as many expected. The backcourt, especially when Morris is being as efficient as usual with the ball in his hands, can win games, but eventually Iowa State will run into a team that can contain the backcourt relatively well. Then it will be up to the frontcourt to step up their production and at least be a threat on the offensive end of the floor so Mitrou-Long and Thomas can get some open looks.
Probable Starters:
Monte Morris, Senior, Guard, 16.3 ppg, 6.1 apg, 4.8 rpg
Nazareth Mitrou-Long, Senior, Guard, 15.5 ppg, 2.8 apg, 4.7 rpg
Matt Thomas, Senior, Guard, 12.0 ppg, 1.6 apg
Deon Burton, Senior, Guard, 14.8 ppg, 1.8 apg, 6.2 rpg, 1.4 bpg
Solomon Young, Freshman, Forward, 4.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Key Role Players:
Nick Weiler-Babb, Sophomore, Guard, 4.2 ppg, 1.6 apg
Donovan Jackson, Junior, Guard, 6.3 ppg, 1.2 apg
Darrell Bowie, Senior, Forward, 5.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg
Merrill Holden, Senior, Forward, 2.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 80.4 (31st in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 71.9 (167, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.2 (81, 6)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.7 (121, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 10.0 (14, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 39.9 (17, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.8 (185, 5)
Rebound Margin: -4.0 (302, 10)
Assists Per Game: 15.9 (46, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.2 (8, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2016 NCAA Round of 64 win over Iona
2016 NCAA Round of 32 win over Arkansas-Little Rock
2016 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Virginia
2015 NCAA Round of 64 loss to UAB
2014 NCAA Round of 64 win over North Carolina Central
2014 NCAA Round of 32 win over North Carolina
2014 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Connecticut
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Notre Dame
2013 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Ohio State
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Connecticut
2012 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Kentucky
2005 NCAA Round of 64 win over Minnesota
2005 NCAA Round of 32 loss to North Carolina
2004 NIT First Round win over Georgia
2004 NIT Second Round win over Florida State
2004 NIT Quarterfinal win over Marquette
2004 NIT Semifinal loss to Rutgers
2003 NIT First Round win over Wichita State
2003 NIT Second Round loss to Iowa
2001 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Hampton
2000 NCAA Round of 64 win over Central Connecticut State
2000 NCAA Round of 32 win over Auburn
2000 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over UCLA
2000 NCAA Regional Final loss to Michigan State
*all team stats through 3/5
