BYU is one of the hottest teams in the Big 12 with eight straight wins, and the team’s confidence level is soaring.
Hot or not, the No. 17 Cougars will face a stern test in their first contest at the Big 12 conference tournament when they battle No. 12 Iowa State on Thursday afternoon in a quarterfinal matchup at Kansas City, Mo.
The fifth-seeded Cyclones (24-8) figure to be in a testy mood as they look to avenge a recent 88-85 double-overtime home loss to fourth-seeded BYU (23-8).
“BYU is a good program,” Iowa State standout Joshua Jefferson said after the Cyclones’ 76-56 rout of No. 13 seed Cincinnati on Wednesday. “They came and smacked us in the mouth in the beginning of the game, so just coming out with a good sense of urgency (Thursday) will help us get it done.”
The Cougars led by 21 with 13 minutes left in regulation in the March 4 matchup before Iowa State rallied. BYU eventually prevailed behind 23 points from Richie Saunders.
First-year BYU coach Kevin Young doesn’t think the Cyclones getting another look in a short time period will play a part in the rematch.
“It’s hard to prepare for our team,” Young said. “You can’t guard it all, you can’t scout it all.”
Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger maintains there is no extra motivation lingering.
“We think very highly of their program,” Otzelberger said of BYU. “They’re playing at an extremely high level. They came into our building and earned a victory. Did a great job. We will prepare for a victory like we play for every opponent and every opportunity and we will aim to control what we can control and be at our absolute best coming out (Thursday).”
Iowa State never trailed during its second-round victory over Cincinnati.
Jefferson recorded 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals, Tamin Lipsey scored 16 points, Milan Momcilovic added 13 points and Dishon Jackson registered 10 points and a career-best 15 rebounds for the Cyclones.
Iowa State held a 41-23 rebounding advantage and hit 53.7 percent from the field while holding the Bearcats to 32.8 percent shooting.
The biggest challenges for the Cyclones might be the status of Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert due to groin injuries. Lipsey left with 3:05 remaining in the game shortly after being hurt when fouled while attempting a layup. Gilbert sat out the second half after being available to play for just the third time in the past six games.
“It’s frustrating,” Gilbert said after playing 11 first-half minutes. “It’s a day-by-day thing.”
Otzelberger feels Lipsey will play Thursday but the coach isn’t so sure about Gilbert.
“Keshon didn’t play in the second half because he felt like he couldn’t get any push or explosion,” Otzelberger said. “We will stretch him out and do everything we can to get him ready to play (Thursday) if that’s a possibility.”
Meanwhile, BYU hasn’t played since recording an 85-74 home win over Utah on Saturday. Dawson Baker scored 15 points off the bench as one of five Cougars in double digits.
Saunders leads BYU with a 16.0 scoring average, but the deep squad has nine players averaging 6.0 or better.
Young has found that to be a bonus as a different player often steps up and provides a lift.
“I know it’s not easy for guys,” Young said. “I can go down the list of why every single guy on our team deserves more minutes than they’re currently getting. But it’s something that we’ve found that has … been a strength of this team.
“Hopefully, it comes even more to the forefront, especially in the conference tournament. Keeping a fresh group out there has been something that’s helped us.”
–Field Level Media
