For the third time in the last four seasons, Iowa State begins its Big 12 Tournament run against the same opponent it just faced to close the regular season.
The No. 7 Cyclones meet Arizona State Wednesday morning in the second round at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Iowa State enters postseason play at 25-6 overall and 12-6 in Big 12 play, while the Sun Devils arrive at 17-15 and 7-11 in conference games.
The two teams met just days ago in Ames, where Iowa State used a dominant second-half surge
— highlighted by a 24-0 run — to pull away for an 86-65 victory.
Now the stakes rise with a spot in the Big 12 quarterfinals on the line.
Cyclones to watch
Milan Momcilovic
The junior sharpshooter has been one of the nation’s most dangerous perimeter threats this season. He holds the Iowa State single-season record for three-pointers with 114 and is shooting an eye-popping 50 percent from deep.
Tamin Lipsey
The senior guard, and Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, continues to be the engine of Iowa State’s defense and transition offense, averaging double-digit points while filling the stat sheet with assists, rebounds and steals.
Open thread
- Can Iowa State replicate the second-half dominance from Saturday?
- Who steps up offensively if Arizona State slows the three-point attack?
Tip-off is set for 11:30 a.m. CT — drop your predictions, reactions, and in-game takes below.
