Iowa State guard Tamin Lipsey (3) goes to the basket around Mississippi Valley State guard Greg Moore (10) at Hilton Coliseum on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. © Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
No. 5 Iowa State (1-0) will host the Kansas City Roos (2-0) on Monday night
inside Hilton Coliseum (7:00 p.m., ESPN+).
The Cyclones opened up the 2024-2025 campaign with a decisive 83-44 win over Mississippi Valley State. Keshon Gilbert led all scorers with 17 points and Tamin Lipsey tallied 16 in the win.
In their first two games of the season, Kansas City powered to
convincing wins over Hannibal-LaGrange (91-68) and Kansas Christian (124-36).
About the Roos
The Roos are a part of the Summit League and are under the direction of head coach Marvin Menzies.
Menzies is known for his disciplined and defensive approach. Kansas City emphasizes physical play and solid rebounding, trying to limit their opponents’ shooting percentages through tough nosed defense that
centers around its skilled forwards and shot-blockers.
The Roos lean on experienced scorers like senior guard Anderson Kopp and forward Melvyn Ebonkoli.
Kopp is a versatile guard at 6-foot-6 and has demonstrated scoring efficiency from deep, while the 6-foot-8 Ebonkoli adds inside strength and rebounding. As they look to slow the tempo and control the glass, the Roos’ primary offensive strategy revolves around setting up plays in the
half-court and finding open looks for their shooters and big men.
Another player to look out for is Jamar Brown. The 6-foot-5 senior was the leading scorer for the Roos last season and started his senior campaign with a 26-point effort in the season opener.
Kansas City’s defense is mainly man-to-man, using physicality and ball pressure to disrupt the opposing team’s offensive flow. In their game against Hannibal-LaGrange, they highlighted their shot-blocking ability and quick hands to generate steals, which will be tested by Iowa State’s faster tempo and high-energy ball movement.
For the Cyclones to be successful they’ll need to focus on quick transitions and strong perimeter shooting to keep Kansas City from settling into
their defensive sets and rotations.
Who stood out in the opener?
In Iowa State’s season opener, several Cyclones made impressive contributions and deburts in the 83-44 victory over Mississippi Valley State. Senior guard Keshon Gilbert looks like he hasn’t skipped a beat since the end of last season. He showed his strong offensive efficiency and set the tone early by getting to the basket and finishing through contact.
His performance was closely followed by junior guard Tamin Lipsey, who not only scored 16 points but surpassed the 700-point career milestone. Lipsey also grabbed three steals in the game and that moved him up to eighth on Iowa State’s all-time steals list.
Newcomer Joshua Jefferson, a transfer from Saint Mary’s, made an instant impact in his Iowa State debut. He scored 10 points in the first half and also contributed four steals and six rebounds. He showcased his versatility on the offensive end and defensive instincts in the paint.
Milan Momcilovic came off the bench for the first time in his Cyclone career, to add 10 points, including two three-pointers. His shooting provided a valuable boost and will need to continue to bring that boost as the season roles on.
Iowa State’s perimeter scoring could be a pivotal factor this season.
With multiple newcomers stepping up on both ends of the court, Iowa State
displayed a promising depth and balance that could be crucial as they advance into tougher matchups in later November.
