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Iowa State vs. Alabama men’s basketball: Game preview and prediction

By Brian Spaen

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Lots of fans clamor for the Crimson Tide chanting “We Want Bama!” after they get a huge football victory. Luckily, Iowa State (2-0) gets Alabama (3-0) in basketball because no one wants to see Nick Saban blow away Iowa State football like they did to Texas A&M earlier this season.

(14)Iowa State Cyclones vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

Sprint Center | Kansas City, Missouri
Monday, November 24th, 2014 | Tipoff – Approx. 8:30 PM CT
TV: ESPN2 | Stream: WatchESPN

More from Men's Basketball

Iowa State returns to the basketball court after a week long break. Last time we saw the Cyclones, they walloped Georgia State, who was a good mid-major opponent that stuck around for the first 20 minutes and fell apart in the second half.

Up next is the CBE Hall of Fame Classic where Iowa State will take on Alabama in the second semifinal at

Hilton South

the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The first semifinal has Arizona State against Maryland, and the Cyclones will play either one in the third-place or championship game tomorrow.

Starting lineups

Nov 17, 2014; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Georges Niang (31) pulls up for a jump shot against the Georgia State Panthers at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State

  • Georges Niang (#31, F) – 20 ppg, 10 rpg
  • Dustin Hogue (#22, F) – 15 ppg, 5.5 rpg
  • Monte Morris (#11, G) – 16.5 ppg, 6 apg
  • Naz Long (#15, G) – 13.5 ppg, 3 rpg
  • Bryce Dejean-Jones (#13, G) – 17.5 ppg, 9 rpg

Alabama

  • Justin Coleman (#5, G) – 5-foot-10, 160 lbs, Fr.
    • 7.7 ppg, 2.3 apg
  • Jimmie Taylor (#10, F) – 6-foot-10, 240 lbs, So.
    • 8.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg
  • Shannon Hale (#11, F) – 6-foot-8, 226 lbs, So.
    • 12 ppg, 6 rpg
  • Levi Randolph (#20, G) – 6-foot-5, 208 lbs, Sr.
    • 19 ppg, 7.7 rpg
  • Rodney Cooper (#21, G) – 6-foot-6, 215 lbs, Jr.
    • 7.3 ppg, 2.0 apg

Series history

Iowa State and Alabama have only played once, and the Crimson Tide took it 83-68 in Las Vegas back in 2007.

What to watch for

Early on this season, Alabama’s strengths are scoring (81 points per game), field goal efficiency (shooting 49.7 percent from the field), and defensive rebounds (29.7 per game). However, their opponents so far have been Towson, Western Carolina, and Southern Miss.

Nov 20, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Levi Randolph (20) drives to the basket against Southern Miss Golden Eagles guard Shadell Millinghaus (0) at Coleman Coliseum. The Tide defeated the Eagles 81-67. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Their basketball team didn’t rough up the Catamounts like their football team did on Saturday. The Crimson Tide only beat them 80-74 and went just 2 for 17 from downtown. What aided Alabama the most was attempting 20 more free throws and getting 17 more points in that category. That’s not going to happen against Iowa State.

Levi Randolph, a senior guard, actually leads the team with 19 points, 7.7 rebounds, and three assists per game. He’ll be the Crimson Tide’s most pivotal player. On the flip side, Iowa State adds more depth with Abdel Nader and Matt Thomas returning from suspensions.

Prediction

Alabama has an average defense at best, and that’s against lackluster opponents at home. Considering this will be more of a home game for Iowa State with plenty of fans making the trip to Kansas City, the crowd will make it hard for the Crimson Tide if the Cyclones make any sort of a run.

This game will give Iowa State’s defense their biggest test of the year, but it won’t be enough. Neither team has scored under 80 points yet this season, but Alabama won’t get there and Iowa State rolls the Tide late.

Iowa State 87, Alabama 63