No. 8 Iowa State vs. TCU Primer

Who: No. 8 Iowa State (17-5, 7-4 Big 12) vs. TCU (12-10, 5-6 Big 12)

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

When: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 – 11 a.m. CT

Watch/Listen: ESPN+ / Cyclone Radio Network

Tipping Off: Iowa State looks to get back on track this weekend, when it welcomes the TCU Horned Frogs to Ames for a Saturday morning matchup. TCU and Iowa State's game will follow ESPN's College GameDay segment, which will be visiting Ames for the second time this weekend.

The Cyclones dropped their third consecutive game last time out, falling to No. 16 Kansas on the road. The Jayhawks limited ISU to its fewest points in a game since the 2023 NCAA Tournament matchup with Pittsburgh. ISU has won five straight over TCU and holds the all-time series edge, 17-14.

TCU on the other hand has won two straight for the first time since mid-December. Though just 1-5 on the road this season, the Horned Frogs have proven they can go into opposing territory and pull out a win – as evident of their road upset of No. 25 Baylor on Jan 19.

Please Note: This Saturday's game is an unlocked ESPN+ stream. Meaning, even if you don't have an ESPN+ subscription, you can still watch the game through the platform for free.

Storylines:

Iowa State's "sixth starter," Curtis Jones, has become an actual starter the last couple of times out, filling in for an injury. After being inserted into the starting lineup, Jones earned a Big 12 Player of the Week award and was also named to the Jerry West Award Top 10 List.
Keshon Gilbert, 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 added to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watch List and was named to the Bob Cousy Award Top 10.
A Preseason All-Big 12 First Team selection, Tamin Lipsey has been the glue of Iowa State's team. A known defensive menace, Lipsey leads the team in steals and is close to becoming the school's all-time steals leader.
Saint Mary's transfer Joshua Jefferson has been a revelation for the Cyclones this season. Jefferson leads the team in rebounding, has eight 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 44 percent. It was announced on Jan. 15 that he would miss some time with a hand injury.

From the Notes:

As a head coach, Otz is 186-103 overall and has guided the Cyclones to an 87-40 record over the last four years.
- ISU is 56-9 in games at Hilton Coliseum under Otz. His 56 home wins during that time are tied for the 11th-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 21 straight weeks, the longest streak in the country.
The Cyclones are ranked No. 11 in the NET. Iowa State slots in at No. 10 in the KenPom rankings and is No. 8 in ESPN's Basketball Power Index.

Switching Sides:

Iowa State and TCU are meeting for the 32nd time on Saturday. 25 of those games have come as league foes in the Big 12.
- ISU is 16-9 against TCU with both being members of the Big 12.
The Horned Frogs were picked to finish tenth in the Big 12 Preseason Poll out of 16 teams.
TCU is the only team in the Big 12 with five freshmen averaging 7.0 minutes or more. No other team has four.
Last season, TCU finished the season in the NCAA Tournament for a program-best, third-straight season.
TCU head coach Jamie Dixon is in his ninth season at the helm of the Horned Frog basketball program. Dixon is 172-120 with TCU and is 500-243 in his 22-year coaching career.
- Last game, a home win against West Virginia, Dixon earned his 500th career win. Only 21 active coaches have more wins.
- He is the second winningest coach in TCU history.
- Dixon is one of just nine active head coaches who have made at least 15 appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
TCU is ranked No. 74 in the NET. The Horned Frogs are No. 79 in KenPom and No. 59 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