Undefeated Iowa State passes first big test of season vs. Miami: Three takeaways
What to know from the Cyclones' no-doubt-about-it W over Miami on Friday
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2 min read
Thanksgiving Thursday has transitioned into a sport-filled Black Friday, as college basketball and college football have games happening all over the place. This is one of the best sports weekends of the year, really. In hoops, the first good matchup on Thursday tipped down in Orlando at 11 a.m. in the AdvoCare Invitational semis -- and Iowa State showed no signs of any tryptophan aftereffects. The Cyclones, ranked 2st in the country, looked really good in a 73-56 win over previously undefeated Miami. ISU remains undefeated, now at 5-0.
Quite a nice outcome for Iowa State, which was ranked 33rd in KenPom entering the day; Miami was ranked 15th. ISU forced the U into 19 turnovers.
Takeaways:
1. This is the first result of significance for Iowa State
The win is the team's first important one of the season, as Steve Prohm's group previously toppled Savannah State, Mount St. Mary's, The Citadel and Indiana State -- that last game just at two-point win on Thanksgiving vs. an improving Sycamores team.
But now, with this win, ISU fans have reason to believe Iowa State can continue to compete in the Big 12, even after losing vital players from last year's team (Georges Niang, Abdel Nader, Jameel McKay). For example, Deonte Burton's emergence as a viable No. 2 player to Monte Morris is big. He had 21 points and seven rebounds, and his presence and consistency (with Morris out in the first half due to foul trouble) has to have Prohm thinking he'll be in OK shape in the frontcourt.
2. ISU's strength comes from age/experience
The Clones rank 10th in the country in experience, per KenPom.com, and you better believe that will be a huge facet to this team's success this season. For example, take junior Donovan Jackson. No one knows this guy, yet he comes off the bench to add eight points and helped keep Miami at arm's length down the stretch.
The Cyclones got 18 of its 73 points from the bench, and it could've been much more. The team has six seniors earning serious minutes. Few teams will rely on such old role players this season the way Iowa State will. Morris will be the MVP, but he doesn't have to do as much, I don't think, as was perhaps expected of him in the preseason.
3. Miami now must dodge bad losses in non-conference play
The Hurricanes losing this game won't do good for the team's resume, as Jim Larranaga did not load up with tough teams in November and December. The rest of the schedule is filled with teams such as Rutgers, Wofford, South Carolina State, Florida Atlantic, Columbia, etc. No road games left in there, either, though Miami's road win at North Florida earlier in the season should and will be rewarded by the selection committee.
Ultimately, Miami will have to earn its way to the NCAA Tournament by getting above .500 in what should be an absolutely slam-loaded ACC. The conference will have anywhere from 9-12 teams competing to get into the tournament, and so while losses are sure to come, chances for wins vs. top-50 competition will also be plentiful. The Canes can't and won't qualify for the Big Dance based on what they'll compile over the next five weeks.
