Opinion
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Cyclones Set to Storm the Moody Center: Iowa State Clashes with Texas Longhorns

As the Iowa State Cyclones prepare to face off against the Texas Longhorns at the Moody Center, fans are buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The Cyclones have been on a tear recently, showcasing their dominance on both ends of the court. Their recent performances suggest that they're not just visiting Austin; they're coming to conquer.


Jan 17, 2023; Ames, Iowa, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Tyrese Hunter (4) dribbles the ball against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

In their last game on December 22nd against Eastern Illinois Panthers, ISU put up an impressive 80 points, outscoring their opponents by a significant margin. The Cyclones' offense was firing on all cylinders, shooting 48 percent from the field and an exceptional 89 percent from the free-throw line. But it wasn't just their scoring prowess that caught attention; it was also their defensive tenacity. With six steals and three blocks in that game alone, ISU demonstrated a balanced approach that could spell trouble for any team.


The Cyclones' ability to convert defense into offense has been particularly noteworthy. In their matchup against Florida A&M Rattlers on December 17th, ISU capitalized on turnovers with ruthless efficiency, scoring 31 points off turnovers while maintaining an assist-to-turnover ratio of nearly five – indicative of both aggressive defense and smart ball-handling.


Jan 17, 2023; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Caleb Grill (2) celebrates after a basket against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Moreover, Iowa State's depth is evident in how contributions come from all over the roster. Against Prairie View A&M Panthers earlier in December, every player seemed to step up – leading them not only to score over a hundred points but also out-rebounding their opponents by a wide margin.


While much focus is rightly placed upon ISU's stellar play, it would be remiss not to consider what they're up against when facing TEX. The Longhorns have shown resilience throughout this season and will undoubtedly look to leverage home-court advantage at Moody Center come game time.


Jan 17, 2023; Ames, Iowa, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Marcus Carr (5) is defended by Iowa State Cyclones forward Aljaz Kunc (5) and guard Gabe Kalscheur (22) during the second half at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

However, given ISU's recent form and high-octane gameplay style – characterized by fast breaks and high-percentage shooting – there is every reason for Cyclone fans to believe in another victory as they head into this challenging away fixture.


The clash between these two collegiate titans is scheduled for February 7th at 7:00 PM CT at Moody Center in Austin. Fans eager not to miss any action can tune into channel 677 where LHN will broadcast this highly anticipated showdown live.

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