KenPom Predicts No. 20 BYU Basketball at No. 6 Iowa State

Author:
Casey Lundquist
Publish date:
Mar 6, 2024 10:00 AM EST

For the first time, BYU basketball is two games above .500 in conference play at 9-7. BYU swept a pair of critical games against Kansas and TCU last week. The Cougars hit the road for a ranked matchup against no. 6 Iowa State.

KenPom, the industry leader in college basketball analytics, predicted BYU-Iowa State. KenPom gives BYU a 33% chance to win with a projected final score of 76-71 in favor of the Cyclones.

As of this writing, BYU is ranked 16th in KenPom while Iowa State is ranked 10th.

Game Information

BYU (21-8) vs Iowa State (23-6)
Wednesday, March 6
Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. MT
Ames, Iowa
James H. Hilton Coliseum

BYU in the Polls

On Monday, the new AP poll for college basketball was released and BYU was back in the top 25 following wins over Kansas and TCU. Last week was the only week since November that BYU was not in the Top 25. Following a pair of impressive wins, BYU was ranked no. 20.

BYU is one of five Big 12 teams in the AP top 25. They are joined by Houston (1), Iowa State (6), Baylor (11), and Kansas (14). BYU wins over three top 15 teams (Iowa State, Baylor, Kansas) and another win over a top 25 team (San Diego State). Earlier this year, BYU beat Iowa State convincingly at home. Those two teams will rematch on Wednesday in Ames for a top-20 battle.

It's also worth noting that San Diego State has maintained its spot in the top 25. BYU beat the Aztecs earlier this year.

There are some familiar names surrounding BYU in the latest AP poll. Former WCC goes Gonzaga (19) and Saint Mary's (23) are in the top 25. Utah State, who is 24-5 this season, is ranked no. 22.

Below is the full AP top 25.