Iowa State men’s basketball: Top five non-conference games
By Doug Winkey
Dec 13, 2013; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Georges Niang (31) is defended by forward Melsahn Basabe (1) of the Iowa Hawkeyes at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
1. Iowa Hawkeyes
My top game to watch for this non-conference season is, of course, against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Last season’s contest was a nail biter that was only decided when Georges Niang hit the most exciting layup of the entire season. The team lost leading scorer Roy Devyn Marble to the NBA, but the team returns essentially everyone else from last year. The game will take place in Carver Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, so the atmosphere will be extremely intense and competitive. I believe everyone on both sides will be eligible, and so this will be an excellent contest that will demonstrate the Cyclones’ resolve in the face of a tough opponent.