Teams #95 and #96 - Iowa State and Missouri

On Saturday January 29th, 2022, I saw my 95th and 96th Division One College Basketball teams. On this occasion, I took a trip to Ames, Iowa to see the Iowa State Cyclones take on the Missouri Tigers. Iowa State is the 4th team that I have seen out of the Big 12. Missouri is the 2nd team I have seen out of the SEC. The Cyclones comes into this matchup with a 15-5 record and most recently played Oklahoma State on Wednesday January 26th. They won the matchup against Oklahoma State by a score of 84-81 in overtime. Izaiah Brockington has been the leading scorer for Iowa State, averaging 16.9 PPG.  Missouri comes into this matchup with a 8-11 record on the year. They most recently played at Auburn on Tuesday, a matchup that they lost by a score of 55-54. Missouri had a chance to win this game late but fell short down the stretch.  Kobe Brown has been the leading scorer for Missouri, averaging 13.5 PPG. 

Honestly, this first half was one of those halves that make you go, hmmmm. What the heck is going on? I think everyone in the country has a good idea that Missouri is one of the worst Power 5 teams in the country. The first half of this game showed how lucky they can get. The first nine points of the game were all contested jump shots and layups that happened to find the bottom of the net for Missouri. Iowa State first six points of the game were all easy layups and dunks. I certainly looked like Iowa State would get whatever they wanted in this game. This did not turn out to be the case. Late in the first half, Missouri found themselves up 25-20 off a made three by Ronnie DeGray III. This came as a surprise to many as Missouri guard Javon Pickett would go to the locker room early in the first half with a head injury and would not return. Following another made jumper by Ronnie DeGray III with 1:33 left in the first half Missouri found themselves up 29-24. Certainly looking like they would have a lead into halftime. And just like that the wheels fell off. During this time, I am not going to lie. I ran to the concession stand for a famous "Clone Cone". Just look at how awesome that ice cream is. Iowa State would go on an 8-0 over the final 1:14 of the half to go into halftime with a 32-29 lead. The Cyclones were bailed out by a terrible foul call on Missouri, resulting in an even worse technical foul being called on Missouri head coach Cuonzo Martin. Izaiah Brockington made the Tigers pay and would make all free throws.  Brockington lead the Cyclones in scoring in the first half with ten points. Jarron Coleman and DaJuan Gordon each had nine for Missouri. Overall, it was a very slow paced first half. I really thought Missouri should have been down significantly more. 

Any hope Missouri had of making this game was squashed very quickly in the 2nd half. Amari Davis would make a layup to tie the game at 34 for Missouri. Iowa State would go on a 15-0 run to blow the doors off of Missouri. After going 1-10 from three point range in the first half, the Cyclones would make three three-pointers during this stretch. Missouri's offensive woes were something to watch for sure. When you only score six points in ten minutes. You probably won't do very well. This run was really the difference in the game. Missouri would not be down by less than 14 points at any point in the 2nd half. Missouri was 11-20 from the field in the first half. In the 2nd half, they were 7-22. That is not going to get the job done. Iowa State would go on to win the game by a score of 67-50. The 50 points put up by Missouri was the lowest total I have seen a team score all year. DaJuan Gordon was the leading scoring for the Missouri Tigers with 15 points and he also grabbed 7 boards. Iowa State was lead by Izaiah Brockington with 15 points and Tyrese Hunter with 14 points. I think Iowa State could win a game in the tourney depending on the matchup. But I also do think they will be a popular 4-13, 5-12 upset. Missouri can scrap a little bit as shown in recent games. I think Cuonzo Martin makes it through this year as head coach of Missouri but really needs to get it together if wants to remain coach of the Tigers. 

Overall, I really enjoyed the atmosphere at Hilton Coliseum. One of the loudest and oldest venues I have been to. Iowa State fans are awesome. They are very passionate about their team for sure. 

My next game will be February 9th as Northern Kentucky takes on Milwaukee.