Here’s our breakdown of Iowa State’s personnel.

*#3- Tamin Lipsey- 6’1″ So.- 15ppg, 6rpg, 6apg, 3spg.

• Quick three-level scoring point guard;
• Great court vision. Outstanding on the drive and kick. (Ranked #21 in the country in apg);
• Really good rebounding guard at 6rpg;
• Ranked #2 nationally in steals per game (3spg);

*#10- Keshon Gilbert- 6’4″ Jr.- 14ppg, 4rpg. (UNLV)

• Athletic shooting guard;
• Loves to drive and kick. Good at attacking gaps in the defense;
• Solid three-point shooter, but better at driving (ranked #45 nationally in FTA);
• Loves to run in transition;
• Good rebounding guard;

*#22- Milan Momcilovic- 6’8″ Fr.- 14ppg, 3rpg.

• Long stretch-forward;
• ELITE shooter from three-point and mid-range. (Currently 184% Shooter!);
• Solid in the “Pick and Pop”;
• Likes the “Dirk” mid-post fade away;

*#0- Tre King- 6’7″ Sr.- 10ppg, 5rpg. (Georgetown/Eastern Kentucky)

• Big/strong/athletic forward;
• Capable face-up player in the post;
• Solid in the paint;
• Capable of the three. Prefers shots in the lane.

*#12- Robert Jones- 6’10” Sr.- 10ppg, 5rpg, 1bpg.

• Long/Athletic post player;
• Really good offensive rebounder;
• Good rim-runner;
• Capable face-up player in the post;
• Likes the leaner/floater in the paint. Really nice touch;
• Struggles sometimes vs a double-team. (MONSTER TRAP!!!);
• Poor free-throw shooter (52%);

#5- Curtis Jones- 6’4″ Sr.- 10ppg, 3rpg. (Buffalo)

• Looks to bring an offensive spark off the bench;
• Really good three-point shooter (35%);
• Can score off the dribble;

#24- Hason Ward- 6’9″ Sr.- 7ppg, 5rpg, 1bpg. (VCU)

• Long/Athletic forward;
• Super Bouncy. Good shot blocker;
• Solid around the rim on offense;
• Not an outside threat. Poor FT Shooter (29%);
• VERY similar to Ja’Vier. Extremely athletic;

#1- Jackson Paveletzke- 6’2″ So.- 5ppg, 2rpg. (Wofford)

• Solid three-point shooter (40%);
• Capable driver. I don’t love his chances of scoring in the paint against the Coogs;

#4- Demarion Watson- 6’7″ So.- 2ppg.

• Hasn’t played much, but played 15 minutes last game (vs Oklahoma);
• Tall forward/long wing span;

#33- Omaha Biliew- 6’8″ Fr.- 3ppg, 2rpg.

• Not likely to get in the game;
• Highly recruited;
• Long defensive specialist;
• Pretty good in the pick and roll;

Keys to Victory

1. Tamin Lipsey is the “Head of the Snake”. Lipsey makes them go. They have several capable scorers, but he is their best overall player. I suspect he will get the Jamal Shead assignment. That has typically not ended well for most guards.
2. No easy looks for their offense. The Coogs must “do what they do” defensively. Iowa State doesn’t have the prototype superstar but has several guys capable of scoring. The Coogs will have to communicate defensively and not allow wide-open looks.
3. Paint touches on offense. UH should be able to attack gaps in the Cyclones’ defense and get paint touches from the driving guards or by feeding the post. This should allow floaters, post moves or passes out to open shooters. Oklahoma took advantage of this and ultimately made ISU pay.
4. Transition Offense. Oklahoma was able to get 10 points in transition against Iowa State on Saturday. ISU typically sends 5 guys to the offensive glass, which can turn long rebounds from outside shots, into transition opportunities for the Coogs.
5. Toughest team wins. When on the road in a conference game, you have to be the tougher team. Iowa State needs to pull an upset to prevent a 0-2 start in the conference. Houston needs to be the first on the floor for a loose ball, rebound like crazy, protect the rim, and challenge all shots.

Previewing Iowa State

Kelvin Sampson on Iowa State | Cougars back to work Sunday | Talkin’ Bout Them Cougars | Scouting Report | Iowa State personnel breakdown | CATS: Starting Big 12 play

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