Why even write this if facts are not going to be checked?
This is not as explosive a Connecticut offense as we've seen in the past, though there's no shortage of balance and there's a clear star in 6-5 guard Jeremy Lamb, whose size and quickness makes him a tough matchup. Lamb averages 17.7 points and can shoot (2.1 3-pointers a game) or go to the basket and convert free throws (81.6 percent). He's joined in the Huskies' backcourt by Shabazz Napier (12.7 points, 5.8 assists) and Ryan Boatwright (10.2 points). And while center Andre Drummond isn't a great scorer (10.2 points), he does get 3.5 offensive boards a game and Iowa State doesn't really have anyone with his size to match up with him. In fact, while the Cyclones defend the three well (29.8 percent), they have no real physical presence inside and that could be big trouble against a UConn team that likes to attack the basket. EDGE: Connecticut.
DEFENSE vs. OFFENSE
The Cyclones' offense runs through 6-8, 270-pound sophomore forward Royce Taylor, who leads the team in scoring (13.1) and assists (5.2). Iowa State lives outside, shooting 38 percent on 3-pointers, making 8.88 a game. Senior guard Scott Christopherson makes 45 percent of his threes and averages 12.5 points and senior guard Chris Allen averages 11.8 points. It's good that Iowa State likes to shoot, because against Connecticut, it's tough to score inside with the 6-10, 270-pound freshman Drummond patrolling. Drummond averages 2.7 blocks and the Huskies only allow teams to shoot 38.3 percent. Expect to see sophomore Napier shadowing Christopherson while Lamb should be on Allen. The toughest matchup for UConn should be Taylor, who is so big but so versatile that no matter who is on him, he's going to be trouble. EDGE: Iowa State.
OVERALL
This should be one of the Round of 64's more competitive games. The Huskies needed to get hot in the Big East tournament and they did enough, similar to what happened last year when they went on to win the national title. Iowa State hasn't been in the NCAA tourney since 2005 and didn't exactly dominate the Big 12. The game could come down to how well the Cyclones shoot and defend Lamb. Iowa State may have enough backcourt bodies to throw at the UConn star and enough shooters to avoid having to go at Drummond. But if not, Connecticut may be athletic enough that they could run the Cyclones off the floor quickly. It's going to be a fascinating game to see who gets the honor of moving on to likely play No. 1 overall Kentucky. EDGE: Iowa State.
-- Mike Allende
This is not as explosive a Connecticut offense as we've seen in the past, though there's no shortage of balance and there's a clear star in 6-5 guard Jeremy Lamb, whose size and quickness makes him a tough matchup. Lamb averages 17.7 points and can shoot (2.1 3-pointers a game) or go to the basket and convert free throws (81.6 percent). He's joined in the Huskies' backcourt by Shabazz Napier (12.7 points, 5.8 assists) and Ryan Boatwright (10.2 points). And while center Andre Drummond isn't a great scorer (10.2 points), he does get 3.5 offensive boards a game and Iowa State doesn't really have anyone with his size to match up with him. In fact, while the Cyclones defend the three well (29.8 percent), they have no real physical presence inside and that could be big trouble against a UConn team that likes to attack the basket. EDGE: Connecticut.
DEFENSE vs. OFFENSE
The Cyclones' offense runs through 6-8, 270-pound sophomore forward Royce Taylor, who leads the team in scoring (13.1) and assists (5.2). Iowa State lives outside, shooting 38 percent on 3-pointers, making 8.88 a game. Senior guard Scott Christopherson makes 45 percent of his threes and averages 12.5 points and senior guard Chris Allen averages 11.8 points. It's good that Iowa State likes to shoot, because against Connecticut, it's tough to score inside with the 6-10, 270-pound freshman Drummond patrolling. Drummond averages 2.7 blocks and the Huskies only allow teams to shoot 38.3 percent. Expect to see sophomore Napier shadowing Christopherson while Lamb should be on Allen. The toughest matchup for UConn should be Taylor, who is so big but so versatile that no matter who is on him, he's going to be trouble. EDGE: Iowa State.
OVERALL
This should be one of the Round of 64's more competitive games. The Huskies needed to get hot in the Big East tournament and they did enough, similar to what happened last year when they went on to win the national title. Iowa State hasn't been in the NCAA tourney since 2005 and didn't exactly dominate the Big 12. The game could come down to how well the Cyclones shoot and defend Lamb. Iowa State may have enough backcourt bodies to throw at the UConn star and enough shooters to avoid having to go at Drummond. But if not, Connecticut may be athletic enough that they could run the Cyclones off the floor quickly. It's going to be a fascinating game to see who gets the honor of moving on to likely play No. 1 overall Kentucky. EDGE: Iowa State.
-- Mike Allende
