Game Primer & LIVE Blog: How to Watch, Key Players and Important Information for Iowa State at Kansas

The Kansas Jayhawks suffered two big road losses last week, first due to foul trouble and then in a weird game that saw both Kansas and their opponent without their star post players. But this week they are hoping to bounce back, starting with a rematch of a loss earlier in the season. Tonight, the Iowa State Cyclones come to town, coming off their first conference loss of the season.

29th-year head coach Bill Fennelly has plenty of success against the Jayhawks, with a 42-20 record while at Iowa State. While the game just a few weeks ago put the Cyclones ahead in the overall series 49-48, the Jayhawks are 28-16 in Lawrence.

Check out the essentials below, and then come join us as Andy gives LIVE updates from inside Allen Fieldhouse. We'll hit on everything that is happening around this matchup:

The Numbers

Editor's Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are provided by CBB Analytics. CBB Analytics is a new stats website in college hoops, covering both men and women's basketball in D-I, D-II and D-III. You can follow them on Twitter @CBBAnalytics

Kansas: 9-9 (2-5 Big 12): CBB Analytics Adjusted Net Rating - 51st overall, 46th offense, 72nd defense

Iowa State: 12-5 (5-1 Big 12): Net Rating - 39th overall, 29th offense, 78th defense

Line: ISU -2.5

O/U: 135.5

How to Watch

Wednesday, January 24th, 6:30 p.m. CST

Lawrence, KS: Allen Fieldhouse

TV: Big12 NOW on ESPN+

- Josh Klingler (Play-by-Play), Wayne Simien (Analyst)

Radio: IMG Jayhawk Radio Network

- Steven Davis (Play-by-Play), David Lawrence (Analyst)

Webcast: Kansas Online Radio

Game Coverage

Listen to our preview of tonight's game with Jamie Steyer Johnson in the most recent episode of the Rock Chalk Podcast:

Come join the conversation in the Blue Wings Rising Discord Server.

Opponent Team Form

There hasn't been a lot of time since the last time these two teams met for things to change, but there are a few things to update from our Game Primer from a few weeks ago.

Game Primer: How to Watch, Key Players and Important Information for Kansas at Iowa State

This is still very much an offense-first team that is great with the pass and finding open shots all over the court. They still prefer to go inside, even if it just means they have to kick it back out and shoot threes. They are one of the best three point shooting teams in the nation, at least in part because they are much more selective about when to take them. They prefer a more methodical pace where they can probe the defense for weaknesses and set up their shot. The main issue with the offense is still offensive rebounding, although they have also struggled recently with getting to the line and avoiding their own turnovers.

Defensively, the Cyclones still have a lot of work to do. They don't force turnovers very much at all, they tend to let opposing offenses dictate what they are going to do, and their best defensive performances have come against teams that struggle to shoot. This was seen in the first game between these two teams, as Kansas shot well in the first quarter before going ice cold. That coincided with huge runs, first for Kansas and then for Iowa State to take the lead in the second half.

Players to Watch

Audi Crooks - 6'3" Freshman Center

Season: 16.5 pts, 6.8 rebs, 0.8 asts, 1.3 stls, 0.5 blks, 60.2% 2P%
Last 5: 16.6 pts, 8.8 rebs, 0.8 asts, 0.2 stls, 0.4 blks, 48.5% 2P%

The Jayhawks did a great job on Crooks in the first game, and she has needed to use more shots to match her output in the last few weeks. But if anything is going to be significantly different this game, I would imagine it starts with Crooks, who has been key on the interior for Iowa State.

Addy Brown - 6'2" Freshman Forward

Season: 13.8 pts, 9.2 rebs, 5.3 asts, 0.8 stls, 0.5 blks, 58.6% 2P%
Last 5: 12.2 pts, 9.8 rebs, 4.2 asts, 1.6 stls, 0.5 blks 51.7% 2P%

Brown's scoring has dropped off a bit, but her defensive performances have gotten a bit better to somewhat make up for it. She had 14 points in the first game with 13 rebounds, so Kansas will need to make a concerted effort to keep her off the boards.

Hannah Belanger - 5'9" Senior Guard

Season: 9.5 pts, 1.9 rebs, 2.8 asts, 0.3 stls, 40.8% 3P%
Last 5: 12.6 pts, 2.2 rebs, 1.2 asts, 1.6 stls, 53.3% 3P%

Belanger went off from three-point range in the last meeting, hitting 6 of 10 attempts. And her three point shooting has only gotten better recently. Kansas will likely keep a spy on her most of the night to avoid a repeat performance, but she has really focused in on scoring the last five games.

Matchups to Watch

Taiyanna Jackson was great on Crooks in the last meeting, but her health is a big question mark after having to leave the game aginst Kansas State after a shot to the face. Danai Papadopoulou had a decent 17 minutes in the first game, but struggled to score inside against the size of the Cyclones. Keeping Jackson out of foul trouble will be critical to the gameplan.

Kansas cannot let threes rain down from the Cyclones, which means that the defensive efforts on the perimeter are going to be extra important tonight. If Iowa State is hot from outside, it's going to be a long one.

Prediction

As well as Iowa State has been playing recently, Texas Tech showed how suffocating defense and timely shooting can really lead to some great things against Iowa State. They've had a full week to stew on that loss, and Kansas is going to be hungry in this one. Give me Holly Kersgieter to hit 4 threes on the night, S'mya Nichols to get into the lane early and often, and the Jayhawks will pull off the mild upset.

Kansas 69, Iowa State 65.

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