No. 10 Iowa State (7-0) returns home from Las Vegas, Nevada, to host the Alcorn State Braves (1-8) on Wednesday night inside Hilton Coliseum (7:00 p.m., ESPN+). The Cyclones are coming off three straight wins at the Players Era Festival Tournament. They defeated No. 14 St. John’s (83-82), Creighton (78-60), and Syracuse (95-64). Iowa State will travel to West Lafayette, Indiana, on Saturday to take on No. 1 Purdue.
Scouting Alcorn State
Alcorn State enters Wednesday’s matchup at Hilton Coliseum with a 1-8 record, navigating one of the most grueling non-conference schedules in the country. The Braves are led by first-year head coach Jake Morton, who took over the program in April after a long career as an assistant at programs like Florida State, Miami, and Jacksonville State. Morton brings a defensive-minded approach and a reputation for player development, but his debut season has been a trial by fire so far.
The Braves have already faced Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Maryland, and Minnesota, suffering heavy defeats in most of those contests. Their lone win came against Indiana State on Nov. 28, an 81-74 victory that got him his first win of the season. Still, the Braves followed that up with an 83-58 loss to Louisiana Tech. Historically, Iowa State and Alcorn State have met just twice, both games in Ames. The Cyclones won comfortably in each matchup: 87-58 in 1996 and 78-58 in 2017. Wednesday will mark the third meeting.
Through nine games, Alcorn State averages 66.3 points per game while allowing 85.7, ranking near the bottom of Division I in both categories. They shoot 43.6% from the field, and a respectable 36.8% from three, but free throws have been a glaring weakness at just 61.2%. Turnovers are another issue: the Braves cough it up nearly 17 times per game, which is problematic against Iowa State’s pressure defense that ranks among the nation’s best at forcing turnovers. Rebounding has also been a struggle, with Alcorn posting a -8.8 margin on the glass.
The Braves’ offense revolves around perimeter shooting and opportunistic drives. They like to space the floor and hunt threes early in the shot clock, especially through guards who can get hot. Defensively, they mix man-to-man with occasional zone looks, but their rotations have been slow, and they’ve been vulnerable to interior scoring.
Opponents are shooting nearly 49% against them, and second-chance points have been a recurring problem because of their rebounding woes. Expect them to pressure the ball sporadically to create turnovers, but their defensive efficiency ranks near the bottom nationally, so Iowa State should find plenty of scoring opportunities.
Shane Lancaster has been the most consistent scorer, averaging 10.9 points per game while shooting 50% from the field and a scorching hot 52.9% from three. He’s a veteran presence who can stretch defenses and hit timely shots. Tycen McDaniels, a 6-foot-8 forward, adds size and physicality inside the paint. He’s averaging 9.4 points and 4.4 rebounds, shooting 50% from the floor and 81% at the line. McDaniels is their best rim protector, leading the team in blocks, and he’ll be tasked with battling Iowa State’s frontcourt.
Davian Williams provides another scoring punch at 9.4 points per game, hitting 40% from deep and logging heavy minutes as a combo guard. He’s streaky but dangerous when he finds rhythm. Jameel Morris is a steady contributor at 9.0 points, though his efficiency has dipped against high-major opponents. Rounding out the starting five is Nick Woodard, who averages 7.2 points and a team-high 4.2 rebounds. Woodard brings energy and toughness, often guarding the opponent’s best wing. These five account for the bulk of Alcorn’s offense, and if they can collectively shoot well from three, they might keep things competitive for stretches if they can keep the turnovers down.
Still, the Braves’ identity is clear: they rely on perimeter shooting to offset size disadvantages and hope to create chaos defensively. Against Iowa State’s disciplined, physical style, that formula will be severely tested. If Lancaster and Williams can get hot from deep and McDaniels holds his own inside, Alcorn could avoid a blowout. But given their turnover issues and rebounding struggles, Hilton Coliseum will likely be an unforgiving environment for the Braves.
Three things we learned about Iowa State in Las Vegas
Killyan Toure is a star
The freshman guard from France announced himself on the national stage at the Players Era Festival. With Tamin Lipsey sidelined by a groin injury, Toure stepped into a bigger role and delivered. He scored 20 points against Creighton and followed it up with 19 against Syracuse, showcasing his athleticism, defensive tenacity, and ability to finish through contact. Toure’s fearlessness and energy fit perfectly into Iowa State’s identity, and his emergence gives the Cyclones another dynamic backcourt weapon. He’s not just a “backup” for Lipsey—he’s a foundational piece who looks ready for Big 12 play as a true freshman.
Joshua Jefferson is asserting himself as an All-American
Jefferson’s versatility was on full display in Las Vegas. He averaged 16 points, eight rebounds, and six assists across three games, including a double-double with 10 assists against Syracuse. His ability to initiate offense as a point-forward, crash the glass, and defend multiple positions makes him indispensable. Jefferson’s combination of size, skill, and poise has elevated Iowa State’s ceiling. He is the ultimate drought buster when the Cyclones need a bucket. He can get into the paint and get a basket at will. That is something the Cyclones haven’t had in a long time. When Iowa State needed stability without Lipsey, Jefferson provided it, proving he’s more than a star—he’s a legitimate All-America candidate.
Iowa State’s bigs are passing the test
Frontcourt depth was a preseason question for TJ Otzelberger and his team, but the trio of Blake Buchanan, Eric Mulder, and emerging freshman Dominykas Pleta answered emphatically in Las Vegas. Buchanan’s physicality and rim protection anchored the defense, while Momcilovic’s shooting stretched defenses and fueled scoring runs. Pleta, though still raw, showed promise as a rotational big man who can rebound and finish inside. Against Creighton and Syracuse, Iowa State dominated the paint and controlled the glass, validating that their bigs can hold up against high-major competition. With Purdue looming, this group’s continued growth will be critical, but the early returns are encouraging.
