Breaking Down Idaho State When the Iowa State men’s basketball team begins their 2009-2010 basketball season tomorrow night, they’ll be facing an experienced foe.
The opponent, Idaho State, has nine seniors on their roster. On top of that, four seniors are in their starting lineup with one junior as well.
That junior just happens to be their most prolific offensive threat. He’s a 6-foot JUCO guard, who goes by the name of Broderick Gilchrest. In Idaho State’s two exhibition victories, Gilchrest has average an impressive 23.5 points per game.
Idaho State went 13-19 last season. With all of the experience coming back, most expect the Bengals to finish in the top half of the Big Sky Conference this year.
Gilchrest, who runs the point, isn’t the only Bengal who has the capability to do some damage. Four starters return from last year’s team, one of them being Amorrow Morgan. Morgan is a big guard, at 6-foot-5. He’s a two-time All-Big Sky selection. He’s averaged 13 points in the two exhibition wins, while dishing out 114 assists a year ago.
Probable Idaho State Starters (per an ISU press release) Chron Tatum, F, 6-6 SR – 2.0 PPG, 5 RPG Deividas Busma, C, 7-0 SR, 12.5 PPG, 11 RPG Amarrow Morgan, G, 6-5 SR, 13 PPG, 6.5 RPG Broderick Gilchrest, G, 6-0 JR, 23.5 PPG Donnie Carson, G, 6-2 SR, 13.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG
Breaking Down the Cyclones Iowa State absolutely dominated their two exhibition opponents last week. The Cyclones started out hot in each of those blowouts too. Iowa State had reached 50 points by halftime in both contests. That leads Iowa State’s scoring average to be at 101 per game during that span. Iowa State has shot 57 percent from the field in the two contests while going 52.9 percent from 3-point range.
Iowa State and Idaho State went at it on Dec. 6, 2003. Iowa State won that game by a final of 73-47. The Cyclones are 2-0 all-time against the Bengals.
What to Watch For Who is red-shirting for the Cyclones? Head coach Greg McDermott was not sure after last Friday’s win. We’ll likely find out tomorrow.
How will Iowa State’s newcomers respond to some real division one competition?
Keep an eye on Diante Garrett. He’s shown remarkable maturity so far this year. That will need to continue for Iowa State to be a factor in the Big 12 Conference later this year.
How many points will Craig Brackins score?
Prediction No secret here. Iowa State should win this game. I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s fairly close in the first half though. This Idaho State team has seen big arenas before. Las season, those nine seniors took on the likes of Arizona State, Kansas State and Wisconsin. They’ll travel to Notre Dame, Utah, USC and Oregon later this season.
Athleticism and star power is where the Cyclones will win this one. Idaho State does like to run. But that should play right into Iowa State’s hands. I say Craig Brackins goes for 25, Marquis Gilstrap drops 20 and Iowa State begins 2009 with a 1-0 record. .
The Pick Iowa State 86, Idaho State 60
