**** WBB: Iowa State at Arizona State - Gamethread - 7:30 pm ESPN+ ****

[BoxsterCy]

Who: Iowa State (10-6, 1-2 Big 12) vs. Arizona State (8-7, 2-1 Big 12)
Where: Mullett Arena – Tempe, Ariz.
When: Wednesday, January 8, 2025 – 7:30 p.m. CT

The Links
WATCH: ESPN+
PxP: Braiden Bell Analyst: Arnecia Hawkins
LISTEN: Cyclone Radio Network – Varsity App or Radio Affiliates
PxP: Noah Wolf Analyst: Sarah Duysen
LIVE STATS

 

[loyalsons4evertrue]

This trip to Arizona is huge. Picking up two road wins and getting to 3-2 is on the plate.

Arizona State is flat out bad. Yes, they are 2-1 in conference play, but they've also played two of some of the worst teams in the Big 12. Do you want to know how bad ASU is? They lost to Coppin State. Yes, COPPIN STATE.

Arizona will be the tougher game for sure. They're not great, but they're solid. They too, have a 2-1 conference record, but much like their arch rival, their wins have not come against good Big 12 teams.

Both Arizona and ASU have their lone conference losses to Utah, whom just beat Iowa State. Arizona lost to Utah by 21 at home and ASU lost at Utah by 20.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Anyone seen ASU play? They have a six players 6'-3" or over. Their pre-game media posting was really long on words and pretty short on much substance just a lot stats stuff of not much interest to me. I get that they are supposedly awful. Saw some pre-conference play posting saying they would be in the running with Houston and UCF to go winless in conference play. They broke that barrier so maybe they are not the worst of the worst but the best of the worst? Will their 6'-7" forward shot blocker and 6"-3" post be able to styme Crooks?

 

[geewago]

I wouldn't classify this as a "must win", but rather I see it as a "you better win or else" situation. Lose this one and there is definitely trouble in the camp. ASU, UH, UCF are certainly watering down the strength of the conference. With TT, BYU & UC struggling to stay ahead of them.

Took a look at ESPN game predictions on my phone and there showing BU a 82% favorite to beat AZ tonight and ISU a 79% favorite to best ASU. Don't know who calculates all this but we'll soon see how close they are. By the same token they give LSU a 51% chance of winning at UT in Knoxville tomorrow night. Hmm, that's probably about right, that game could go either way.

 

[NWICY]

Well hopefully get things improving on this road trip.

 

[theshadow]

Curious that all of ASU's Saturday home Big 12 games are in their main arena, and the midweek ones (with the exception of NYD) are in the smaller/alternate venue.

 

[acoustimac]

It’s weird to look at ASU and AZ statistically. ASU is putting up a lot of points but apparently hasn’t learned the defensive side of the playbook yet. AZ is the opposite somewhat. Not a high scoring squad at all. ASU is playing in the hockey arena tonight. All GA tickets. I hope to sit behind our bench.

 

[mred]

I wouldn't classify this as a "must win", but rather I see it as a "you better win or else" situation. Lose this one and there is definitely trouble in the camp.

ASU is NET 117. That's not only quad 3, that's low quad 3. A loss would require us to practically win out the rest of the regular season (or win the Big 12 tournament, of course) to make the NCAA tournament.

 

[loyalsons4evertrue]

ASU is NET 117. That's not only quad 3, that's low quad 3. A loss would require us to practically win out the rest of the regular season (or win the Big 12 tournament, of course) to make the NCAA tournament.

we don't have much margin for error the rest of the season....we have no good wins and losing the Utah game really hurt. We're gonna have to upset some teams if we want any shot at the big dance....and I can't believe I'm saying that right now.

 

[WartburgClone]

Analyst: Sarah Duysen

Our Assistant Director of Communications is on the radio call tonight?

 

[WartburgClone]

ASU is terrible with losses to:

• Arkansas State, 6-7 (96-100)
• Grand Canyon, 14-2 (59-70)
• Coppin State, 11-7 (68-74 OT)
• UC Davis, 10-4 (50-57)
• San Francisco, 8-6 (64-67)

And near misses to:

• Jacksonville State, 7-5 (74-66)
• SMU, 9-6 (80-73)
• South Dakota, 7-9 (95-88)
• Maryland Eastern Shore, 5-11 (64-57)
• Penn, 9-5 (73-67)

 

[BoxsterCy]

ASU is terrible with losses to:

• Arkansas State, 6-7 (96-100)
• Grand Canyon, 14-2 (59-70)
• Coppin State, 11-7 (68-74 OT)
• UC Davis, 10-4 (50-57)
• San Francisco, 8-6 (64-67)

And near misses to:

• Jacksonville State, 7-5 (74-66)
• SMU, 9-6 (80-73)
• South Dakota, 7-9 (95-88)
• Maryland Eastern Shore, 5-11 (64-57)
• Penn, 9-5 (73-67)

Winning a couple of games in the Big 12 is sort already overachieving for them.

 

[67CY]

Cyclones can’t afford to screw this game up

 

[acoustimac]

Hopefully playing a team like ASU will be just what the doctor ordered to give our guards a chance to shoot.

 

[acoustimac]

Great view of the valley from Dobbins Point.

 

[acoustimac]

Good ISU contingent already.

 

[acoustimac]

Had hoped to sit right behind the bench as the ASY ticket office said the entire arena was GA. No….three sections on that side are reserved and empty.

 

[geewago]

So has your buddy came over from Las Vegas to help with the "Power of the Pops".

 

[Jnecker4cy]

Good ISU contingent already.

My parents are there cheering on the Clones.

 

[acoustimac]

So has your buddy came over from Las Vegas to help with the "Power of the Pops".

Nope. He’s a slacker. I have them in my pocket though