On Iowa State (15-4, 6-2 Big 12):
Sophomore head coach TJ Otzelberger is proving last year was no fluke for the Cyclones. After going 2-22 in 2020, Iowa State hired Otzelberger and recorded his sixth Sweet 16 appearance in school history last year. But this year’s team could be even better. The Cyclones have eliminated three top 10 teams and have not lost a home game this season. They share first place in the Big 12 conference with Kansas State and Texas, two teams Iowa State has already beaten.
Each of Iowa State’s two conference losses were by two points and away from Ames, Iowa. The Cyclones and Tigers both won on Tuesday, with Iowa State narrowly beating Kansas State 80-76. Missouri and Iowa State, two former Big 12 rivals, also met last year in the Big 12/SEC Challenge with the Cyclones pulling away in the second half for a 67-50 win. For the second year in a row, Gabe Kalscheur is a leader of this team. Both he and St. Bonaventure transfer Jaren Holmes average more than 13 points per game.
About Missouri (15-5, 4-4):
Missouri’s starting lineup has varied in each of their last three games due to injuries and player availability. Despite this, the Tigers appeared to find their best offensive drive against Mississippi on Tuesday. They hit a season-high 16 three-pointers in an 89-77 win. After making seven of his last 35 shots entering Tuesday, guard D’Moi Hodge drained six three-pointers and tallied 24 points to lead the Tigers. Isiaih Mosley scored 20 runs in his first Missouri start. He has scored 39 points in his last two games. In Kobe Brown’s return to the roster, he scored 18 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out five assists. Mohamed Diarra also scored a season-high 11 points along with six rebounds.
A win against Iowa State would be Missouri’s fourth ranked win of the season and would boost an already impressive resume. He would also give the Tigers some comfort in the second half of a season that features road games against Auburn and Tennessee.
