Jan 11, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) drives to the basket defended by Oklahoma State Cowboys forward Cameron McGriff (12) guard Brandon Averette (0) during the first half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Cyclones won 96-84. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
After putting up a career performance in Wednesday’s win against Oklahoma State, Iowa State point guard Monte Morris was the talk of the Big 12 coaches teleconference on Thursday.
Morris, who scored 30 points, dished five assists, grabbed five rebounds, recorded four steals and zero turnovers against the Cowboys, was brought up specifically by Kansas head coach Bill Self for his big performance, but that was just the start.
“That was as good a performance as I’ve ever seen a guard have against any of my teams,” Oklahoma State head coach Brad Underwood said. “It was his show and we were just puppets in it.”
The Flint, Mich. native was named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 earlier in the day. He’s averaging 15.9 points, 5.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds per so far during his senior campaign.
The Big 12’s Preseason Player of the Year will try to continue his hot play on Saturday when the Cyclones visit Fort Worth to take on TCU, who beat Texas on Wednesday, in a 4:30 p.m. tip.
“I haven’t seen enough of him other than he’s really good in the few games I’ve watched so far,” TCU head coach Jamie Dixon said. “Change of pace, speed, confidence and unselfish all at the same time so those are things that really stood out for me. I know as a freshman he had some ridiculous, from afar, he had some ridiculous assist-to-turnover ratio and has had it throughout his career. Obviously, an experienced, older and talented player.”
