ISU-OSU Preview: A Big Game Just Got Bigger

Quick Hits from cyclones.com

Where: Stillwater, Okla. - Gallagher-Iba Arena (13,611)
When: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 8 p.m. (CST)
Radio: Cyclone Radio Network/Learfield
Talent: John Walters (PxP), Eric Heft (Color)
TV: ESPNU
Talent: Clay Matvick (PxP), Tim Welsh (Analyst)
Webcast: WatchESPN
Sirius/XM: 108/200 (OSU Broadcast)
Live Stats: Available at Cyclones.com.
Live Blog: Available at Cyclones.com.

“Welp, the importance of Wednesday’s game just got a whole lot higher,” most Cyclone fans said after watching West Virginia derail the Kansas Jayhawks in Morgantown, giving KU it’s third Big 12 loss of the season.

This opens up a door for the Cyclones, who hold an 8-4 record in Big 12 play, to come within one game of tying for the Big 12 Regular Season Championship. The Regular Season Title is an accolade Kansas has held for ten straight seasons, and one could say the nine other Big 12 teams are growing tired of seeing the trophy go to KU.

However, the Cyclones have to take down Oklahoma State tonight to decrease their deficit to Kansas by one game.

This week’s games will both be played on the road, against Oklahoma State on Wednesday and Texas on Saturday. Iowa State’s combined record against these teams on the road is 1-25 in the past 26 meetings. The win being last year’s triple overtime game.

Iowa State was heavily challenged at home by Oklahoma State, largely due to Phil Forte making every shot (or at least it seemed like) he pulled up. Forte averages 16.6 points per game, and is capable of scoring twenty during any average game for him.

Iowa State escaped with a two point victory after Dustin Hogue made a game changing block in the closing seconds, winning 63-61.

The big game factor certainly plays to Iowa State’s strengths and they showed they can win those big games on the road when they cruised past Iowa earlier this season. Tonight could replicate that, but could also spell trouble like we saw against Oklahoma last week.

Main Photo Credit: cyclones.com