The state of the Iowa resisted a match that looked more like a wrestling match and made key games in the section, taking a three -point lead with 20 seconds to do.
Another victory on the road hard disputed at their reach, the third -row cyclones ended up leaving McKale Center with a defeat in overtime after Caleb Love d’Arizona struck a despair of exceeding half of the court at the end of the regulation .
“I do not know what are the chances of this shot, but probably not really high,” said Iowa state coach Tj Otzelberger, The defeat of 86-75 last Saturday.
It took a monumental effort for anyone to beat the state of Iowa this season.
Before the loss of Arizona, the cyclones (17-3, 7-2 Big 12) had equaled the best start in the history of the program, with the 1994-1995 team. The state of Iowa has reached its highest ranking ever in n ° 2 earlier this season and only took a place after losing against Virginia-Western on January 18.
Cyclones are n ° 7 in the net and n ° 5 classification in Kenpom measurements. Their curriculum vitae includes victories on Marquette n ° 9, then-no. 25 Baylor, n ° 22 Texas Tech and n ° 11 Kansas. The only losses of the state of the Iowa were two people in Auburn high-ranking in Maui Invititational, at Virginia-Western without a sniper Milan Milan Momcilovic (hand) and after the despair of love.
“A very good team,” said Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd. “Just respect.”
Cyclones win it everywhere with a deep list charged with talent at each position.
The Iowa State played in the NCAA tournament each of its first three seasons under Otzelberger, reaching Sweet 16 for the second time last season. The cyclones have returned three starters this year and added two key transfers to the great men Joshua Jefferson (Saint Mary) and Dishon Jackson (Charlotte).
Jefferson gives the Iowa State Soldoly, a 9 -inch 6 -inch attacker who can mark in several ways while making an average of 12.9 points and 8.1 rebounds. Jackson, at 6-11, 274 pounds, provides the muscle inside, as a marker, rebounder and rim protector. Momcilovic draws 44% out of 3 and recently removed the cast of his injured hand.
The Guard of Curtis Jones, Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert were one of the best in the country.
Gilbert is the second top scorer in the Iowa State at 15.5 points per match, while making an average of 4.6 assists and 3.7 rebounds. Lipsey on average 10.4 points, 2.9 assists and leads cyclones with 45 interceptions.
Jones was dynamic after being sixth Iowa State man last season, with an average of 18.1 points per team per game. The senior 6-4 can mark the perimeter, in the track with floats or finish at the edge. He is also a locking defender, often closing the best scorers of perimeter of the opposing teams.
“He was playing a different match from everyone today,” said Arizona state coach Bobby Hurley A 76-61 victory On the Sun Devils on January 25. “But not only his offense. He kept our face, refusing us, picking up the full court – he played a full game.”
Complete is the best way to describe the success of Iowa State.
Cyclones have five players on average with two figures and are n ° 13 in the offensive efficiency ratings of Kenpom. The Iowa State on average 84.2 points per match, tied in the 11th national rank.
Cyclones are just as good defensively, holding teams to an average of 67 points while equaling 10th nationally with 9.9 interceptions per game. They are sixth in the Kenpom ranking for defensive efficiency.
The Iowa State also has a talent for the finish. Cyclones have erased a 13-point deficit to beat its Iowa 89-80 rival, did the same to beat Texas Tech in overtime and removed the Arizona State with a 19-3 game of play.
“We focus on our identity and do what we do,” said Otzelberger. “It’s part of our DNA.”
The makeup of the state of the Iowa left an opponent after another in search of means to beat them – without much success.
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