No. 9 Iowa State vs. No. 22 Arizona Primer

Who: No. 9 Iowa State (21-7, 11-6 Big 12) vs. No. 22 Arizona (19-9, 13-4 Big 12)

Where: Hilton Coliseum (14,267) – Ames, Iowa

When: Saturday, March 1, 2025 – 8 p.m. CT

Watch: ESPN // Jon Sciambi (PxP), Fran Fraschilla (Analyst), Kris Budden (reporter)

Listen: Cyclone Radio Network // John Walters (PxP) & Eric Heft (Analyst)

Tipping Off: Iowa State aims to snap a two-game losing streak and avenge a late January heartbreaker in the process, as it welcomes Arizona to Hilton Coliseum for the first time since 1983. The Wildcats will be playing in Hilton for the third time ever, as they were the first ever opponent to grace the building in 1971.

The Cyclones enter Saturday night's contest having lost Tuesday evening on the road at Oklahoma State. An undermanned Cyclone squad got good news in the form of Curtis Jones' return from illness, but Keshon Gilbert was still absent. Four of Iowa State's conference losses have come on the road.

Arizona looks to make a clean sweep of the Cyclones on Saturday, as it aims to start the month of March with a win. The Wildcats have three losses in their last five contests, including a pair of home losses to both BYU and Houston. Currently, Arizona sits in second place in the conference, holding a one-game lead on Texas Tech and a two-game lead over ISU.

Game Note: We ask those attending Saturday night's game to please wear gold, as it is our GOLD RULES game. Please also note that Cyclone legend and All-NBA player Tyrese Haliburton will be present, as Iowa State is set to recognize him for his gold medal over the summer at the Paris Olympics during halftime.

Storylines:

Iowa State's "sixth starter," Curtis Jones, became an actual starter for seven games but has gone back to the bench with the return of Milan Momcilovic. Jones has earned a Big 12 Player of the Week award, was named to the Jerry West Award Top 10 List and was named to the Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 Watch List along with teammate Keshon Gilbert.
Speaking of Gilbert, he has been the team's "engine" has taken a leap in his second season as a Cyclone, leading the team in minutes and assists. He has been named the Big 12 Player of the Week twice this season, was named to the Bob Cousy Award Top 10 and was named to the Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 Watch List with teammate Curtis Jones. He has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury.
A Preseason All-Big 12 First Team selection, Tamin Lipsey has been the glue of Iowa State's team. A known defensive menace, Lipsey became the school's all-time thief at No. 5 Houston, passing the great Monté Morris for the top spot in school annals.
Saint Mary's transfer Joshua Jefferson has been a revelation for the Cyclones this season. Jefferson leads the team in rebounding, has nine double-doubles and has earned five Big 12 Newcomer of the Week awards.
Sophomore wing Milan Momcilovic averages just over 10 points per game and shoots the 3-ball at the highest clip on the team at 40 percent. After missing just about a month of game action due to injury, he returned to the starting lineup on Feb. 8 against TCU.

From the Notes:

As a head coach, Otz is 190-105 overall and has guided the Cyclones to a 91-42 record over the last four years.
- ISU is 59-9 in games at Hilton Coliseum under Otz. His 59 home wins during that time are tied for the fifth-most nationally.
Coach Otzelberger is the only Iowa State men's basketball coach to take multiple teams to the Sweet 16.
- He was the 51st coach in NCAA Division I history to take a team to the Sweet 16 twice in his first three years on the job.
- Otz will attempt to become the first coach in program history to take a team to the NCAA Tournament in his first four years as coach.
Iowa State has been ranked in the AP Top 10 for 24 straight weeks, the longest streak in the country.
The Cyclones are ranked No. 10 in the NET. Iowa State slots in at No. 13 in the KenPom rankings and is No. 8 in ESPN's Basketball Power Index.

Switching Sides:

This will be the ninth all-time meeting between Iowa State and Arizona.
- Arizona holds the al-time series edge, 5-3, and won the matchup earlier this year in overtime in Tucson.
- Arizona is 0-2 all-time in Hilton Coliseum.
Arizona was picked to finish fifth in the conference in the preseason poll and currently sits in sole possession of second place. They were one of four team to receive a first place vote.
Caleb Love is one of five active players with over 2,500 career points.
- A transfer from North Carolina, Love holds the fourth-most points by any active D1 player and he has 50 20-plus point performance games in his career.
The Wildcats distribute the ball very well, recording 20-plus assists on 10 occasions this season, averaging about 18 a game in Big 12 play.
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd is in his fourth season at the helm of the Arizona basketball program.
- Lloyd is 106-29 with the Wildcats.
- He comes to Tucson after spending 21 years as an assistant for Mark Few at Gonzaga.
- In his first season as the Head Coach at Arizona (2021-22), Lloyd led the Wildcats to their third-highest win total in a single season, finishing 33-4.
Arizona is ranked No. 9 in the NET. The Cowboys are No. 12 in KenPom and No. 7 in ESPN's Basketball Power Index.

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Players Mentioned

Keshon Gilbert

Joshua Jefferson

Curtis Jones

Tamin Lipsey

Milan Momcilovic

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics