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Fansided

Iowa State basketball: Cyclones must avoid letdown against Southern

By Brian Spaen

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Iowa State basketball had its most impressive victory of the season after they blew away Iowa in the second half of Friday night’s game. While fans have been celebrating all weekend long, the team can’t forget that they have a quick turnaround in the early evening tonight against Southern.

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One person that will have his mind in the zone is Bryce Dejean-Jones, who saw his team dominate the Hawkeyes. Unable to play after receiving a suspension for being a terrible neighbor and still being one even when he told Fred Hoiberg he’d change, you know the former UNLV player wants to get back on the court and get back to good terms with the coach.

Another player that will be focused is Georges Niang, who scoffed at reporters after the big win. Niang blew a kiss to the Hawkeye crowd after making a basket toward the end of the game.

Dec 12, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Dustin Hogue (22) takes the ball to the basket against Iowa Hawkeyes forward Jarrod Uthoff (20) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

“We have a great team,” Niang told reporters after the game. “We have an even better coach. I don’t know why people are so surprised.”

Sunday night’s game against Southern is by all means a walkover on paper. The Jaguars are terrible on offense with 56.5 points per game, shoot 38.8 percent from the field, and average just 8.8 assists per game as a team.

That doesn’t mean Iowa State can just waltz in and play unprepared. The Cyclones have been notorious for sleepwalking in the first half of their games, and at no point should this game be a close affair in the closing minutes. It’s all about avoiding a letdown after a huge win on Sunday night.

  • Dustin Hogue had 13 points and 13 rebounds (season high) against Iowa. It was his most impressive game of the season.
  • Monte Morris is doing more than just posting a great assist-turnover ratio. He’s also creating possessions for Iowa State with 12 steals in his last three games.
  • With the return of Dejean-Jones, Iowa State may see an increase at the foul line. Niang and BDJ are a combined 63-for-70 from the charity stripe this season.

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