The Iowa State men’s basketball team will look to start off the season 2-0 tonight when Chicago State comes to town. The game will tip at 6 p.m. in Hilton Coliseum. The contest will not be televised. The only way you can watch the game without being there is by viewing it on the Clone Zone from Cyclones.com.
Let’s break this thing down.
Breaking Down Chicago State
The Chicago State Cougars are 1-0 on the young 2009 college basketball season. Chicago State won their season opener against Concordia (Ill.) on Friday evening by a score of 81-61. In that game, junior forward and all Great West Conference preseason team member Carl Montgomery led the way with 22 points and 17 rebounds, while going 8-of-11 from the field.
Chicago State is beginning its first season as a member of the Great West Conference. Last year, the Cougars went 19-13 and recorded their first winning season in 23 years as an Independent.
Chicago State is an inexperienced basketball team. They face the tough task of replacing one of the top scorers in America from a season ago. That’s David Holston, who averaged 25.9 points per game last year.
Along with Montgomery, expect junior guard Christian Wall to be a factor tonight. Wall had 18 points against Concordia after only averaging 3.8 points per game last year.
Chicago State is 0-5 against Iowa State all-time.
Chicago State’s Probable Starting Lineup (per Cyclones.com)
Carl Montgomery: 6-7, 210-pound Jr. Forward – 22 PPG, 17 RPG Antonio Lofton: 6-5, 195-pound Jr. Forward – 7 PPG Marquis Young: 6-9, 290-pound Sr. Center – 9 PPG, 4 RPG Christian Wall: 6-1, 185-pound Jr. Guard – 18 PPG, 4 APG Kabangu Kasamba: 6-5, 190-pound So. Guard – 6 PPG
Breaking Down the Cyclones
Iowa State defeated Idaho State on Friday night by a score of 88-68, in a game that was never really ever in question. Craig Brackins and LaRon Dendy led the way for the Cyclones scoring 17 and 16 points. Meanwhile, JUCO transfer Marquis Gilstrap chipped in with an impressive 13 points. The trio, along with Justin Hamilton combined for 22 of Iowa State’s 40 rebounds.
Like they were against Idaho State, Iowa State’s frontcourt will simply be too much for the Cougars. Chicago State just doesn’t match up with Iowa State’s size and athleticism.
The goals for Iowa State are simple in this game. The first is obvious and that is to win. The second is to play a complete game of basketball and to not let up after taking a significant lead.
Greg McDermott told reporters after Friday night’s game that his team is not used to playing with a big lead. Good news Cyclone fans. I expect them to get some more work at that this evening.
What to Watch For
– LaRon Dendy will be going head-to-head with one of his Indian Hills C.C. former teammates tonight. That’s Cougar junior Damian Windham. They played together last season.
– Who is getting more minutes at the point guard position behind Diante Garrett? On Friday, Chris Colvin played 17 minutes compared to Dominique Buckley’s 11.
Prediction (1-0 on the year)
No question here. Iowa State should win this one big. I’d venture to say that this will be more lopsided that Friday night’s contest. Chicago State doesn’t have the scorers, the shooters or the athleticism to hang for much longer than 10 minutes. Of their 19 wins a year ago as an Independent, the most impressive came against Central Michigan of the MAC. Chicago State lost to Kansas State 99-68 and that was with a more talented roster than they’ll have this evening.
The Pick
Iowa State 86, Chicago State 62
