LAWRENCE — Kansas basketball is aiming for a fourth-straight Big 12 Conference victory on Wednesday, when it faces Iowa State on the road.
The No. 10 Jayhawks (12-3, 3-1 in Big 12) are coming off of a win on the road against Cincinnati. The No. 2 Cyclones (14-1, 4-0 in Big 12) are coming off of a win on the road against Texas Tech. It’s more than likely than KU will be an underdog in this matchup.
Before Kansas and Iowa State are scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m. (CT), keep a few of these things in mind — as well as a prediction:
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This is what makes Hilton Coliseum difficult to play at
In Kansas center Hunter Dickinson’s opinion, what helps make Allen Fieldhouse a tough venue for opponents to play at is the energy the entire fan base brings. It’s not just the students who are loud in Lawrence, but everyone who makes their way into the venue. And when Dickinson looks at Iowa State’s Hilton Coliseum, in Ames, Iowa, he sees a similar environment.
Kansas has lost the last two times it has gone on the road to face Iowa State there. One came by a close margin, and one did not. The last time the Jayhawks topped the Cyclones on the road came during the 2021-22 season in which KU won its latest national championship.
Bill Self thinks it’s too early to look at this game as a must-win for Kansas
Kansas coach Bill Self has acknowledged the difficult position his Jayhawks put themselves in, in the race for a Big 12 regular season crown, given their loss at home against West Virginia. But at this point, he explained, he doesn’t consider his team being in the race or out of it. Of course he would rather have other teams in the league like Iowa State losing more, but currently he’s focused on getting better each day.
Beating the Cyclones, though, would put the Jayhawks in an advantageous position moving forward. KU would be in a position to sweep ISU during the regular season, because there is going to be a rematch in February in Lawrence. If Kansas can put a stretch like that together, it’s hard to see Self’s squad not be in contention for the Big 12 regular season title.
Bill Self, Hunter Dickinson preview Iowa State matchup
Self, who understands how close Iowa State is to being undefeated, said he’s heard a pundit who he respects describe the Cyclones as the best offensive team in the nation. Self, himself, highlighted ISU’s back court as one of the most talented nationally and added the team’s bigs are much more skilled this season. And it’s not as if this Iowa State team, which Self thinks is the best Cyclones coach T.J. Otzelberger has had there, has taken any steps back defensively in the half-court either.
Dickinson also mentioned ISU’s formidability starts with its back court, and noted Iowa State has three guards who can take over a game — including Tamin Lipsey, defensively. Dickinson thinks this will be a significant test to see how good Kansas’ defense really is. Dickinson also mused teammates of his, like guards Rylan Griffen, David Coit and Zeke Mayo, are due for some performances in which they hit more shots.
Kansas basketball vs Iowa State prediction
These two teams could very well end up facing off in the Big 12 tournament championship game later this year, but for now they’ll have their first meeting in this matchup. Both teams have some momentum with them, heading into this game. But it’s the fact Iowa State is playing at home, that should give it the edge in a 71-64 win against Kansas.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas basketball vs Iowa State: Scouting report, prediction in Big 12
