Our Clients:

Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Nov 18, 2023 10:18 pm

Heavy favorite Iowa State takes on Grambling State

Coming off a lull in their schedule, the Iowa State Cyclones have one final tune-up before they face tougher opponents and little time off between them.

Iowa State (3-0), which hasn’t played since routing Idaho State 86-55 on Nov. 12 in Ames, Iowa, welcomes the Grambling State Tigers (2-2) of the Southwestern Athletic Conference to town on Sunday.

The Cyclones are averaging 91 points per game, surrendering only 48, and facing a Tigers team that is listed as a 24-point underdog.

Then Iowa State will play on Thursday and Friday in the ESPN Events Invitational near Orlando, Fla.

“Having three games in six days comes at you fast. You don’t have quite as much practice time because you’ve got to be mindful of getting ready to play those games,” Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger said this week.

“Mentally, keeping our guys focused in those moments, each moment at a time, especially as you have a little bit of success — or perceived success — how do you keep yourself focused on the next play, the next possession, the next practice, the next thing in front of you?” he added.

Otzelberger is “hopeful” and “optimistic” that Tre King will be available on Sunday. The senior forward, one of four Cyclones players averaging in double figures at 11.7 points per game, twisted an ankle vs. Idaho State.

Freshman Milan Momcilovic and junior Keshon Gilbert are averaging 15.3 and 15 points for Iowa State, respectively, with sophomore Tamin Lipsey at 13 per game.

Grambling State, picked to finish second in the SWAC, also has four players scoring in double figures and averages 80.3 points per game.

But the Tigers won’t have the same rest as the Cyclones. Instead, Grambling State will be playing its second game in three days, having lost to Delaware State 71-63 in Atlanta on Friday.

The Tigers are shooting only 24.1 percent from 3-point range, a problem that coach Donte’ Jackson lamented earlier this season.

“We got to take better shots. Some of the shots we’re taking are contested shots. We got to be able to move the ball and take open shots,” Jackson said. “Right now we’re taking contested pull-ups, and that’s not good basketball.”

Kintavious Dozier is netting 14.8 points per game, followed by Jalen Johnson (14.3), Tra’Michael Moton (13.8) and Jourdan Smith (12). Smith also was named the SWAC’s preseason defensive player of the year.

–Field Level Media

You may also like

Nov 30, 2023 11:15 am

No. 19 BYU looks to continue ascent vs. Fresno State

For the first time in two years, BYU is ranked in The Associated Press Top 25. That may come as a surprise to some. After all, the No. 19 Cougars…

Nov 30, 2023 11:00 am

Defending champ UConn seeks respect in top-5 clash at Kansas

UConn is the defending national champion, yet the Huskies have a major chip on their shoulders. No. 4 UConn doesn’t feel it is receiving the proper respect for its accomplishments…

Nov 30, 2023 10:54 am

No. 1 Purdue anticipates stern test vs. Northwestern

No. 1 Purdue stormed through the early part of its nonconference schedule without a setback. Now, the Boilermakers will bring an unblemished record into their Big Ten conference opener. Purdue…

More Basketball News

Nov 30, 2023 11:15 am

No. 19 BYU looks to continue ascent vs. Fresno State

For the first time in two years, BYU is ranked in The Associated Press Top 25. That may come as a surprise to some. After all, the No. 19 Cougars…

Nov 30, 2023 11:00 am

Defending champ UConn seeks respect in top-5 clash at Kansas

Nov 30, 2023 10:54 am

No. 1 Purdue anticipates stern test vs. Northwestern

Nov 30, 2023 10:42 am

No. 6 Houston takes unbeaten show on road vs. Xavier

Nov 30, 2023 6:52 am

Up-and-down teams clash as Clippers face Warriors

Read all
fb-post
advertisment
title-icon

Upcoming events

See all odds