Iowa State basketball: Three things to watch when the Cyclones play Kansas City

After earning a season-opening victory over Mississippi Valley State, Iowa State (1-0) returns to action on Monday night against visiting Kansas City.

The Roos (2-0) are coming off back-to-back lopsided wins over NAIA school Hannibal-LaGrange and NCCAA school Kansas Christian. This will be Kansas City’s first game against a Division I opponent this season.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be available on ESPN+.

Here are three things to watch for in Monday’s game:

Iowa State guard Tamin Lipsey (3) goes to the basket around Mississippi Valley State guard Greg Moore (10) at Hilton Coliseum on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Ames, Iowa.

Kansas City is a potential NCAA Tournament team, conference champ

The Roos are slated to finish atop the Summit League, according to the preseason conference coaches poll.

Last year, they finished 16-16 overall. They closed the regular season with six straight wins to earn the No. 2 seed in the Summit League Tournament, but were upset in the quarterfinals after a last-second win by Denver.

The Roos have a new-look roster. They have seven newcomers from the transfer portal and three true freshmen.

Last season’s Summit League Newcomer of the Year and first-team all-conference selection Jamar Brown is back to lead Kansas City. The 6-foot-5 wing seamlessly transitioned to the Division I level after two standout seasons playing JUCO basketball with Phoenix College. Brown had a team-high 15.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting 45.4% on the floor.

Sophomore Jayson Petty is another key returner for the Roos. He earned Summit League Freshman of the Year honors last season and appears to be taking a step forward offensively, scoring 33 points over their last two games after averaging 6.2 points per game as a freshman.

Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson (2) drives to the basket around Mississippi Valley State Alvin Stredic (15) at Hilton Coliseum on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Ames, Iowa.

A big day for Iowa State’s frontcourt

Kansas City…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/iowa-state-basketball-three-things-115532878.html

Author : The Des Moines Register

Publish date : 2024-11-10 11:55:00

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