The Oklahoma State Cowboys are gearing up for a significant road challenge on Saturday, facing the third-ranked and unbeaten Iowa State Cyclones in Ames. The Cyclones (15-0) have demonstrated their dominance at home, winning all nine games there by an impressive average of 32.2 points.
OSU recently halted a lengthy winning streak by defeating 25th-ranked UCF at home, with a score of 87-76. Parsa Fallah led the Cowboys with 24 points in that game, while Kanye Clary nearly achieved a triple-double, finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. This victory not only ended UCF’s 11-game winning streak but was also significant for head coach Steve Lutz, who is on the verge of achieving his 100th career victory, currently holding a record of 99-55 across multiple coaching positions, including OSU, Western Kentucky, and A&M-Corpus Christi.
Lutz has successfully fostered a revitalized home court advantage, with the Cowboys boasting a record of 22-4 at Gallagher-Iba Arena under his leadership, including an unblemished 11-0 this season. However, OSU has struggled on the road in the Big 12 conference, recently experiencing a 13-game losing streak in away games dating back to February 2024.
This season, the Cowboys are among the top offensive teams in the nation, averaging over 90 points per game, fueled by a Big 12-leading average of 20.1 free throws made per game. Five players are averaging double figures, with guards Anthony Roy (17.5 points per game) and Vyctorius Miller (14.9 points per game) being top contributors, combining for 66 three-pointers and a remarkable shooting accuracy of 47%.
As OSU heads into this showdown, they aim to continue their recent success against Iowa State, having won eight of their last ten meetings. The teams will meet twice within a short span, as they are set to face each other again on January 24 in Stillwater.
On the other side, Iowa State is enjoying a strong season under head coach T.J. Otzelberger, who has led the Cyclones to four consecutive NCAA tournaments. Iowa State is confident, sitting at 15-0 and ranking third nationally in both the AP and Coaches Polls. With their average margin of victory at 25.9 points, they are a formidable opponent, boasting one of the nation’s most efficient offenses and exceptional defense.
As these two competitive teams prepare to clash, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an exciting battle that could have significant implications for both programs as they continue their journey through the challenging Big 12 conference. The Cowboys’ goal will be to not only secure their first Big 12 road victory since February 2024 but also to cement their place among the elite teams by defeating a top-three opponent for only the fifth time in their history.