No. 16 Iowa State prepares to host Stonehill for their final game before heading to Las Vegas for the Players Era Festival next week. The match against the Skyhawks is set to begin at 7 p.m. on Monday.
The Cyclones have made an impressive start to the season, winning their first three games by an average of over 31 points, with each victory featuring a margin of at least 16 points. Emphasizing a mindset of continuous improvement, junior forward Blake Buchanan stated that they approach every game with a “0-0 mentality,” stressing the importance of maintaining their competitive edge despite their successful start. “We’ve got to keep getting better. There’s a lot to take away from our win, but I just got to come and attack every day like it’s our last,” he expressed.
On the other hand, Stonehill has struggled early in the season with a record of 1-4, suffering four straight losses since their season-opening victory against Thomas College. Last season, they finished with a 15-17 record, but current trends indicate a challenging year ahead.
Iowa State’s most recent win against Mississippi State showcased their offensive capabilities, with senior point guard Tamin Lipsey scoring 25 points in a 96-80 triumph. The Cyclones demonstrated a more diversified scoring strategy this year, managing to come close to 100 points even on a subpar shooting night from beyond the arc. Coach T.J. Otzelberger highlighted the importance of finding ways to win despite not always shooting well, focusing on forcing turnovers and scoring in transition.
The Cyclones are excelling in this area, generating significantly more turnovers than they are committing, averaging just 10 turnovers while their opponents have accumulated 63 turnovers this season. Stonehill has also been prone to turnovers, averaging over 15 per game, which Iowa State looks to exploit in their matchup.
Sophomore guard Hermann Koffi stands out as Stonehill’s leading scorer, averaging 18.4 points per game and shooting 44.4% from three-point range. Iowa State has several potential defenders for Koffi, including Lipsey and freshman guards Killyan Toure and Jamarion Batemon, both of whom have quickly established themselves as impactful players early in the season. Batemon remarked on the competitive environment in practice that strengthens their skills.
Coach Otzelberger has effectively utilized a flexible 10-man rotation, adjusting player substitutions based on game performance rather than sticking to a set plan. He believes that this approach has positively influenced overall team play, fostering a competitive spirit. He looks to continue this strategy against Stonehill, mindful of tougher matchups on the horizon.
Following their game with the Skyhawks, the Cyclones will travel to Las Vegas to face No. 13 St. John’s on Nov. 24 and No. 23 Creighton on Nov. 25. As Iowa State gears up for their upcoming challenges, they remain focused on maintaining their momentum and refining their gameplay.