Can West Virginia Mountaineers Weather the Cyclone at Hilton Coliseum?

As the West Virginia Mountaineers prepare to face off against the Iowa State Cyclones, fans are bracing for an intense showdown. The Mountaineers' recent performances have been a mixed bag of determination and missed opportunities, leaving supporters wondering which team will show up at James H. Hilton Coliseum.

In their last game on February 13 against TCU Horned Frogs, WVU scored 65 points but allowed a staggering 81 points in return. The statistics tell a story of struggle: with only 39 percent field goal shooting and a concerning assist-to-turnover ratio of just 0.68, it's clear that ball security and shot selection need to be top priorities moving forward.

The Mountaineers' defensive efforts also left much to be desired; they managed only four blocks and three steals while giving up significant points in the paint (44) to TCU. This porous defense coupled with flagrant fouls suggests a lack of discipline that can't afford to carry over into their next game.

However, not all is bleak for WVU fans. The free throw accuracy stood out as a silver lining with an impressive 83 percent completion rate – an asset they must capitalize on against ISU. Additionally, despite falling short in their previous encounter with BYU Cougars on February 3 where they scored 73 points compared to BYU's 86, WVU showed resilience by improving their two-point field goal percentage to an encouraging 53 percent.

Looking ahead, the key for WVU lies in tightening up defensively and maintaining composure under pressure – something they've proven capable of when considering their performance against BYU where turnovers were reduced and second-chance points were maximized (17).

The Iowa State Cyclones will undoubtedly pose a formidable challenge; they're known for their aggressive playstyle which could exploit any lingering weaknesses within the Mountaineer ranks. It is imperative that WVU leverages its strengths – free throw shooting and improved two-point conversion rates – while shoring up its defense if it hopes to emerge victorious from this tempest.

Fans should expect nothing less than full commitment from every player wearing the gold and blue as they step into enemy territory come February 24 at 2:00 PM EST. With disciplined execution on both ends of the court, there's no reason why West Virginia can't turn this potential storm into just another passing breeze.

For those unable or unwilling to brave the cyclonic conditions expected at James H. Hilton Coliseum in Ames, IA; rest assured you can catch all the action live on ESPN2 channel number 209 as these two teams battle it out for conference supremacy.