WHAT: Iowa State (20-8, 9-6) at Texas (15-13, 7-8)
WHEN: Saturday, 1 p.m.
WHERE: Austin, Texas
TV: ESPN2
Chris Williams: Another game, another situation where in my opinion, it comes down to which Iowa State team shows up much more than anything the opponent can do. Iowa State is better than Texas but with a tempo ranked 306th in the country, I worry that the Longhorns will get Iowa State out of sync. Still, I’m riding on the urgency factor here for the Cyclones who will peak in the month of March.
Iowa State 77, Texas 68
Jared Stansbury: It was nice to see someone besides Iowa State fall victim to Scott Drew’s voodoo magic earlier this week. I don’t know what to make of the Longhorns right now, especially without Kerwin Roach for the foreseeable future. I know Iowa State has only won twice in Austin, but I just have a feeling about this one.
Iowa State 73, Texas 67
Brent Blum: Texas is in a weird spot coming off a collapse against Baylor and needing another marquee win to solidify its NCAA Tournament resume. I think without Kerwin Roach, Texas won’t have the firepower to stay with Iowa State over forty minutes. I like the Cyclones here.
Iowa State 71, Texas 65
Rob Gray: The ‘Horns are fresh off blowing a 19-point lead at Baylor, so we could see (a) a very focused and motivated team responding when its back is against the wall, or (b) just a flawed and lackluster group.
I think we’ll see both, because that’s what Texas is: Good defensively, below average offensively and seemingly incapable of striking any measure of consistency.
So if the Cyclones can hit most of their open shots and play reasonably solid ball screen defense, a season sweep is imminent.
Iowa State 73, Texas 68
Kirk Haaland: Aside from the normal variance that will happen with shooting I think this game will come down to how Iowa State can defend the pick and roll as Texas looks to hit Jaxson Hayes with lobs at the rim and if the Cyclones can win the battle on the glass at the defensive end.
I do think Iowa State will play well, but they’re running into a Texas team that is desperate for a victory.
Iowa State 68, Texas 66
Kevin Fitzpatrick: Nope, can’t complete the CF sweep of picking Iowa State otherwise the Clones would be doomed. You’ll all have me to thank if they win thanks to this pick right here:
Texas 69, Iowa State 68
