Iowa State is a team you need to be locked in on defense against from the opening tip. Wigginton and Jackson are both very capable of hitting shots in bunches, and if you give them open looks early and let them get into a rhythm, they can make things very difficult for your defense.
A major difference between Iowa State at the beginning of Big 12 play and now is the play of Cameron Lard. He came off the bench in the first game against the Wildcats and only played 22 minutes. He did score 13 points in those 22 minutes. He is now starting and playing a major role. In his last three games he has scored 22 against Tech, 19 against OU, and 19 against KU.
Iowa State looks to space the floor for their shooters and get the ball in the paint with high pick and rolls. Here’s a look at some specific things the Cyclones do offensively:
Secondary Break
I did not spend any time on the Cyclones defense because this is a game that is much more about how K-State plays offensively versus anything Iowa State will do on that end of the floor. If K-State plays well and attacks the paint, they should be able to score the ball.
Nick Weiler-Babb had been out with an injury for several games, but did play against KU on Tuesday and played very well. In only 22 minutes, he scored 14 points on 5-7 shooting, and had 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 0 turnovers. His presence allows Iowa State to move Wigginton off the ball more and, as shown by his numbers against KU, is a guy that can fill up the stat sheet and score from anywhere on the floor.
Even though this is a dangerous team, there is a reason Iowa State is currently in last. This is a game in which the Wildcats must take care of business and continue to build momentum for the stretch run.
A major difference between Iowa State at the beginning of Big 12 play and now is the play of Cameron Lard. He came off the bench in the first game against the Wildcats and only played 22 minutes. He did score 13 points in those 22 minutes. He is now starting and playing a major role. In his last three games he has scored 22 against Tech, 19 against OU, and 19 against KU.
Iowa State looks to space the floor for their shooters and get the ball in the paint with high pick and rolls. Here’s a look at some specific things the Cyclones do offensively:
Secondary Break
- When ISU sets up in a traditional secondary break look (PG and wing on one side, post on the block and top of the keep, and a wing on the back side free throw line extended), they will look inside to Lard on the block. When the ball does go inside, K-State needs to be ready for flare screens on the perimeter and cutters to the basket.
- When the ball is reversed through the post at the top of the key, the post likes to follow his pass to set a ball screen. Young is capable of picking and popping, but is more of a pick and roll player while Beverly (#55) is a pick and pop player.
- Even with both posts in the game (Lard and Young), ISU will run some sets out of a 4-out look with Lard starting inside and Young on the perimeter. Most of their actions in this set involve a high ball screen with Lard.
- If Young starts on the wing, he will look to down screen for the guard in the corner. If the guard defender is sitting in the lane to help on the roll and then gets screened by Young, it can make it difficult to recover back out to the shooter.
- If Young starts out in the corner or short corner, look for a flare screen for the wing and a slip to the basket.
- When either Jackson or Wigginton get hot, ISU likes to move them off the ball and set baseline screens for them. The set starts with 2 guards out high and the 2 posts on the block. Wigginton or Jackson will start in the middle of the lane and cut either direction using the post as a screener.
- If the defender gets in his hip pocket and chases him around the screen, he can curl back into the lane. If you go over the top of the screen, he will fade to the corner for a 3.
- If he does not get a shot from the initial cut, the post will step out and set a ball screen.
- When ISU runs their high ball screen action with the point guard dribbling towards the strong side of the floor (side with a guard on the wing and in the corner), they like to swing the ball back to the wing on the weak side and quickly look into the post rolling to the basket.
- Just like against Oklahoma State, the Wildcats must get back in transition and find shooters. Their guards will run the floor and spot up for open threes in transition.
- K-State defenders must stay connected to Wigginton and Jackson and close out to them with a high hand. Jackson loves to dribble into a pull up three. He is quick enough to drive around you so you can’t simply body up to him to take away the three. However, if he gets you on your heels and you give up too much ground, he will shoot the pull up.
- Lard is extremely difficult to stop if you let him finish with his right hand around the basket. He is long and athletic. The further away you can push him from the basket, the better your chances. He will turn over his right shoulder, but will still shoot with his right hand when he does. This means his defender can shade his left shoulder and still contest the shot if he turns the other way.
- Talley is the one guard you can play off of (22% from 3 for the season). He would prefer to put the ball on the floor and use his length to finish in the lane. He can go either way, but when he does go left, he likes to spin back to his right to finish.
I did not spend any time on the Cyclones defense because this is a game that is much more about how K-State plays offensively versus anything Iowa State will do on that end of the floor. If K-State plays well and attacks the paint, they should be able to score the ball.
Nick Weiler-Babb had been out with an injury for several games, but did play against KU on Tuesday and played very well. In only 22 minutes, he scored 14 points on 5-7 shooting, and had 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 0 turnovers. His presence allows Iowa State to move Wigginton off the ball more and, as shown by his numbers against KU, is a guy that can fill up the stat sheet and score from anywhere on the floor.
Even though this is a dangerous team, there is a reason Iowa State is currently in last. This is a game in which the Wildcats must take care of business and continue to build momentum for the stretch run.
