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February 12 Sheet

Texas Tech at Iowa State (+2.5) - 5:00pm Pacific
The Cyclones entered Big 12 play with a 10-1 record which included a nice road win at Iowa. They then played quite possibly the toughest four game stretch any team has had to face this year: vs Kansas, at Texas, vs Oklahoma, at Missouri. They lost all four games but have gone a respectable 2-2 since, both losses coming on the road at #11 Oklahoma State and at a hot Colorado team.

The loss to Colorado in last game was particularly upsetting as the Cyclones fell behind 16-0 to start the game, shot a season low 33.8% from the field, allowed a season worst 55.1%, and were outrebounded by a season worst 42-32 margin. They came in allowing just 31.5 rebounds a game, best in the conference. They played the game without 7-1 reserve center Chris Alexander (7.7ppg, 5.2rpg, left team to attend to ill child) who they really could have used to help defend CU 7-footer David Harrison. Also, reportedly three key players were battling the flu the day of the game. Clearly, ISU head coach Larry Eustachy was unhappy with the teams performance and publicly questioned the toughness of his players following the game.

Iowa State is still a very capable team. Junior guard Jake Sullivan comes in averaging 17.7 points per game and shoots noticeably better (20.6ppg, 9 for 12 from 3-point range in last three at home) at Hilton Coliseum. 6-11 JC transfer power forward Jackson Vroman (11.7ppg, 8.6rpg) will be the best inside player on the floor tonight. Vroman has rebounded from a midseason slump to average 13ppg & 8.5rpg in last four games. Freshman shooting guard Adam Haluska (10.8ppg) provides a nice scoring punch. JC transfer point guard Tim Barnes (9.5ppg, 5.2rpg) is lightning quick. Center Jared Homan (2.2bpg) is a capable big man and junior G/F Marcus Jefferson provides athleticism, defense, and experience off the bench.

Texas Tech comes into this game losing five of its last eight games. Either the scouting report is out on this team or they were never that good to begin with. Maybe both. Their only three wins during the span were at home vs Baylor, Nebraska, and Colorado. They have been even worse on the road going 0-4 in Big 12 games including losses at Kansas State by 24 and Texas A&M by 5. The Red Raiders shot 59% in last game at Missouri but still were beaten convincingly as they were outrebounded by a 38-21 margin. They will not shoot nearly that well tonight (only two teams have shot over 50% vs ISU this year) and the Cyclones are 5th best in rebounding margin in the Big 12 (+6.0).

The rough schedule to start conference play was a little too much to ask from a team featuring three starters in their first year of Division 1, but a home win here in a pivotal game is well within reach for the Cyclones. Iowa State always plays hard but I expect them to play with an even higher level of intensity tonight coming off their worst "effort" of the season as well as looking to avenge 69-43 blowout loss at Texas Tech last season. The home crowd will surely do its part with Bobby Knight in town and 2000 national coach of the year Larry Eustachy will definitely have his team prepared. Take the points.

Iowa State  1 UNIT

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