Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger says the 20th ranked Cyclones will be tested on Thursday night in the 76th meeting against Iowa.
ISU is 7-1 and has limited opponents to 37 percent shooting and just 26 percent from three point range. He says a key against the Hawkeyes is limiting fast break opportunities.
It will be Iowa State’s first road game of the season and Otzelberger says mental toughness is a must.
Otzelberger says ball pressure in the half court is a key against the Hawkeyes.
Defense travels and the Cyclones won eight games away from Hilton Coliseum last season.
Senior forward Jaz Kunc says the Cyclones are ready for their first road test.
Kunc says they are preparing for a hostile environment.
Kunc says the Cyclones need to play well on defense.
The Hawkeyes need an identity. They struggled from the perimeter in a Tuesday night loss to 15th ranked Duke. That combination won’t work against a Cyclone team that is built on defense and toughness. Iowa State won last year’s game 73-53 in Ames but the Hawkeyes lead the all-time series 47-28.
