PREDICTIONS: Iowa State @ TCU

A new feature at Cyclone Fanatic. Before every Big 12 basketball game, our team that covers the Cyclones – Chris Williams and Jared Stansbury – will give their predictions on how they see things going down.

Today’s game: Iowa State (11-4, 3-1 Big 12) at TCU (12-3, 2-2 Big 12)

TV Info: Fox Sports Southwest or select local Fox affiliates

Line: PICK

Chris Williams: Vegas sees this as a total toss-up so like in the Oklahoma State game, I’ll go with the good guys. Iowa State’s guards will be the difference here as I’m not sure how the Horned Frogs will match up if this thing turns into any sort of a track meet. Iowa State is in a very good spot mentally right now so I’ll take the Cyclones. The pick: Iowa State 70, TCU 68

Jared Stansbury: I think this is a game where Iowa State’s veteran guards really come into play. TCU has some talented players on the roster, but they’re young and relatively inexperienced. I expect to see the Cyclones bring a great deal of pressure on the defensive end of the court and try to force the Horned Frogs into playing faster than they’re capable. For that reason, this is a game I expect Iowa State to take control of pretty early on. It also seems like the kind of game where someone unexpected, possibly a Nick Weiler-Babb, Donovan Jackson or Solomon Young, comes out and has a good game offensively to create a spark. The pick: Iowa State 72, TCU 67

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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