Kansas Jayhawks at Iowa State Cyclones Predictions
After two straight wins over the Wildcats, as the Kansas Jayhawks head back on the road to take on the Iowa State Cyclones, It's a huge opportunity to jump ahead of one of the other contenders in the Big 12 Conference race.
And that is possible due to a Cyclone loss down in Lubbock on Monday, a game where Iowa State lead by 23 points in the second half before completely collapsing. Will Kansas cause a similar collapse on Saturday? Or will the Cyclones regain their composure in the friendly home environment to keep their own conference title hopes alive? Our crew shares their thoughts below.
Do you disagree with our assessment? Make sure you read them all and then hop over to the Discord or on Twitter to share your own thoughts.
Kyle Davis
Check out our Iowa State Preview for Kyle's full breakdown and prediction.
Brendan Dzwierzynski
It feels like these are two programs that are on the precipice of major runs in opposing directions. KU’s won two in a row and has finally looked like a complete unit again after the losing streak, meanwhile Iowa State got pounded by Missouri and then lost in calamitous fashion to Texas Tech. The Jayhawks have to smell blood in the water and feast this week. It’s not an impossibly difficult game plan: Limit Gabe Kalscheur’s production as much as possible, shoot at a reasonable clip and get at least two other guys going offensively so all the pressure doesn’t fall on Jalen Wilson. Iowa State is tough as nails and Hilton Coliseum will be as hostile as ever, but this KU group has the toughness to manage all that. It’s done it once before this year, and I think Kansas will pick up a gritty victory again.
Kansas 70, Iowa State 65.
Lucas Murphy
The Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Kansas State Wildcats and will now head on the road to a very hostile and rowdy environment in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones are a very talented basketball team and with the home crowd behind them, this will undoubtedly be a challenging game for the Jayhawks. Jalen Wilson continues to play like the player of the year he is incredible. Udeh has stepped up in a big way and looks to build confidence along with getting more minutes. I look for Udeh to have an impact on this game. If Kansas wants another Big 12 title they will need this one.
Kansas 84, Iowa State 78.
Derek Noll
I’m going to agree with these guys. When you come to Kansas, you expect everyone’s best shot and their best crowd of the year when you travel to their place. The Jayhawks will have to deal with a tough crowd throughout and of course there’s the ever present cascade of boos raining down from the locals every time something doesn’t go the Cyclones’ way, but this KU team is equipped to deal with it. I’m liking the maturity of guys like Ernest Udeh, Bobby Pettiford, and Zach Clemence. Their games on Tuesday helped KU immensely and I’m looking for more of the same from the bench. After all, February is the time when the Jayhawks usually start rounding into form. It started in Kentucky, moved along nicely against K-State, and will continue in Ames.
Kansas 82, Iowa State 67.
Andy Mitts
I'm not sure if the loss to Texas Tech makes the Cyclones more dangerous or exposes big issues that Kansas can take advantage of. But what I do know is that Bill Self has pulled his usually early February magic and found enough chemistry in this team to turn them into something formidable.
Ernest Udeh gives them another dimension that they didn't have even two weeks ago, and Zach Clemence just adds to that. There is concern for injuries with MJ Rice only able to play sporadically, Zuby Ejiofor out at least a couple more weeks and both Bobby Pettiford and Kevin McCullar dealing with some in-game injuries. But I think that Bill Self's magic is stronger than Hilton Magic, and expect Kansas to pull this one out.
Kansas 70, Iowa State 64.
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