Iowa State Basketball vs Creighton Game Preview, Prediction

Preview and Context

After their preseason exhibition game on October 17, where Creighton emerged victorious with a decisive margin of 71-55 over Iowa State, the two teams are set to clash again in a regular-season game. The contest is scheduled for November 25 at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena as part of the Players Era Festival.

Creighton’s Struggles and Iowa State’s Improvements

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott downplayed the significance of their exhibition game, stating that many aspects of play were reserved for the upcoming regular season. In their most recent game against Baylor on November 24, Creighton struggled to maintain their usual dominance, losing by a score of 81-74.

On the other hand, Iowa State has been performing well in the early stages of the season. The Cyclones won their fifth consecutive game, defeating No. 15 St.

John’s with a final score of 83-82 on November 24. With a record of 5-0, they have shown significant improvement from their exhibition loss to Creighton.

Key Areas of Focus

Iowa State’s Frontcourt Urgency

The frontcourt duo of Joshua Jefferson and Blake Buchanan has been crucial in Iowa State’s early success. Their versatility and efficiency have provided a strong foundation for the team, particularly when they assert themselves inside the paint. Against St.

John’s, they displayed their potential by outrebounding the Red Storm 38-36, with 17 offensive boards to boot.

The Cyclones will need to maintain this intensity, especially as backup players like Dominykas Pleta or Eric Mulder step in when starters require a break. This game presents an opportunity for Iowa State to prove their mettle against Creighton’s frontcourt, which has shown some weaknesses during their recent loss.

Creighton’s Three-Point Shooting

Critically, the Bluejays have struggled with their three-point shooting. In their exhibition game against Iowa State, they managed a 44.4% success rate from beyond the arc but significantly dropped to just 1-for-12 in the second half.

Their performance in this department could be crucial as they look to compete against an improved Iowa State squad.

McDermott’s team has not been firing on all cylinders in terms of three-point accuracy throughout their first four games, shooting below 31% from distance each time. However, in the game against Baylor, they managed a respectable 37.1% success rate, which could be an indicator that they are capable of performing better when needed.

Limiting Creighton’s Turnovers

Turnover control is another key area for Iowa State to focus on. Creighton has struggled with ball security this season, posting a turnover rate of 18.7% of possessions and ranking 227th in the country.

This game against Iowa State offers an opportunity for the Cyclones to disrupt the Bluejays’ momentum by pressuring them into mistakes.

Joshua Dix had his best showing as a Bluejay against Baylor, contributing 15 points and six assists while minimizing turnovers. However, Creighton’s overall ball security issues suggest that Iowa State can exploit these vulnerabilities if they maintain their defensive pressure throughout the game.

Prediction and Expectations

Considering the improved performance of Iowa State compared to their exhibition loss and the continued struggles of Creighton, it’s reasonable to predict a victory for the Cyclones. However, Tamin Lipsey’s availability remains uncertain due to his lower-body injury suffered during the St. John’s game.

The rematch is expected to be an intense contest, with Iowa State aiming to own the paint and limit Creighton’s three-point opportunities while forcing turnovers.

This game will likely showcase whether the Cyclones can sustain their recent form against a formidable opponent like Creighton.

Overall, Iowa State should have enough firepower and defensive resilience to overcome Creighton in this regular-season matchup. The outcome could set the tone for both teams’ respective seasons as they continue to compete in the Big 12 Conference.