Oklahoma State Looking to Complete Season Sweep of Iowa State
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State (15-9 overall, 6-5 Big 12) is set to travel up to Ames, IA, for a showdown with No. 11 Iowa State (16-7 overall, 7-4 Big 12). The Cyclones are a perfect 12-0 at home in Hilton Coliseum.
The Cowboys took the first of two matchups between the two, a 61-59 win in Stillwater.
“I’ll put [Hilton Coliseum] up there with the best venues in college basketball,” Boynton said of playing in Hilton Coliseum. “It kind of flies under the radar in that regard; people obviously in the league know it, but I think nationally not as well known. Probably the best basketball environment that I’ve ever seen was the year I was an assistant coach here and we played on their senior night, and their seniors were Monte Morris, Naz Long, Deonte Burton, Matt Thomas, and that team had won like 130 games by that time in their career. When they’re good, and they are, their fans respond in kind. And even when they haven’t been that great, their fans have still showed up. So, I think just the consistency of the environment, the team certainly gets a boost from the crowd. I think they’re averaging about 10 more points a game at home. I think they’re averaging like 64 [points] a game on the road and like 75 at home. It certainly helps create a little bit more juice.”
ISU is fresh off a road loss to West Virginia, 76-71, while the Cowboys held on for a 71-68 win over Texas Tech.
The Cyclones are averaging 70.7 points a game in conference play, while holding teams to a league-best 61.7 points. As for the Cowboys, their averaging 69.4 points per game, while holding opponents to 63.7 points per game, second in the Big 12.
The Cyclones are also third in the league in shooting percentage at 46%, while holding opponents to 41%. As for the Cowboys, their shooting 44%, while holding opponents to a a league best 38%.
ISU is led by senior guard Jaren Holmes, who’s averaging 13.8 points per game on 41% shooting. Gabe Kalscheur is next on the stat sheet with 13 points a game.