With yet another conference loss in a season that’s quickly turning into a disappointment, we came up with three reasons Iowa State will be upset in the NCAA Tournament on the first weekend.
- Where’s the D?: This team is giving up 75 points per game and isn’t doing a whole lot to discourage opponents from surpassing that number. Star forward Georges Niang has looked lost defensively more times than not this season, while Abdel Nader hasn’t fared much better. Jameel McKay has been dealing with injuries and suspensions for most of the season, as well. Simply put, this team either doesn’t have the focus or doesn’t have the talent to defend at a high level, something that can allow the UAB’s of the world a chance to knock you out early in March.
- Missing McKay: Jameel is the key to so much that this team does, with his activity underneath the basket creating extra possessions for the Cyclones offensively and his ability to alter shots at the rim on the other end. Not only has he been dealing nagging injuries all season, but he and Steve Prohm seem to have some kind of beef that keeps him from having total focus.
- Burned by Burton: If you watched the final minute of the Cyclones’ loss to Baylor, talking regulation here, then you noticed what Burton can do for ISU and opponents as well. On one end, he has a huge block just milliseconds before the BU shot hit the backboard, saving ISU for another possession. On the other end, he’s completely out of control with the ball in his hands, taking terrible shots and turning the ball over. Basically, your x-factor is completely unreliable.
