Cougars Set to Tangle with Cyclones in Ames Showdown

As the BYU Cougars prepare to face off against the Iowa State Cyclones at the James H. Hilton Coliseum, fans are eager for insights into what could unfold on the hardwood. The Cougars, coming off a mixed bag of recent performances, are looking to establish consistency and command as they head into this challenging away game.

In their last three outings, BYU has shown both flashes of brilliance and areas needing refinement. Against Kansas State Wildcats, despite a strong offensive showing with 74 points and an impressive 58 percent success rate from two-point range, defensive lapses allowed 84 points against them. The Cougars' three-point shooting was lackluster at 19 percent, which they'll need to improve upon.

The subsequent home victory over Baylor Bears showcased a more balanced attack and defensive effort by BYU. Scoring 78 points while shooting at a higher clip from beyond the arc (39 percent), they also managed to convert second-chance opportunities into 20 crucial points.

However, consistency remains elusive as evidenced by their performance against Oklahoma State Cowboys where they scored an admirable 83 points but allowed a staggering 93 points on defense. Their three-point struggles resurfaced as well, converting only 23 percent from downtown.

What's clear is that when BYU maximizes their inside game and controls rebounds—both offensive and defensive—they put themselves in positions to win games. Their assists-to-turnover ratio has been commendable in wins but needs attention during tougher contests.

As they step into Cyclone territory on March 6th at James H. Hilton Coliseum in Ames for an evening tip-off scheduled for 18:00 local time (broadcasted via ESPN+), it will be critical for the Cougars to tighten up defensively while maintaining their offensive efficiency inside the paint if they hope to leave Iowa victorious.