After being a preseason top 25 team, Iowa State has rebounded back into the AP poll and will host Oklahoma State in their season finale at Hilton Coliseum. The Cowboys have won five straight games and continue their miracle comeback in conference play after starting 0-6. The Cyclones have the same streak going and look to solidify themselves in second place as Baylor and West Virginia currently sit with six losses in Big 12 play. Tipoff is set for 8:00 PM Eastern time and it can be seen on ESPN2, online at espn, and on the WatchESPN and ESPN mobile apps (subscription required).
Oklahoma State (20-9, 9-7 Big 12)
The winning streak has extended for 9 of their last 10 games, and it very easily could have been 10 straight if the Cowboys were able to pull off the comeback over Baylor earlier in February. Still, the team has to be happy with their position as latest projections put them as a 6 seed and they're getting close to breaking the top 25 themselves.
Oklahoma State looked impressive in their beatdown of Texas Tech 80-63 in their last game. Junior guard Jeffrey Carroll (17.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg) led the team with 17 points and 6 rebounds. Senior guard Phil Forte III (13.4 ppg) made all five of his shots from downtown to finish with 15 points.
No. 24 Iowa State (19-9, 11-5 Big 12)
While disappointing losses are scattered across the Cyclones' resume, they've been able to figure things out at the right time. They were able to pick up an upset win over Baylor at home and will have a difficult stretch of ending the regular season with this opponent and West Virginia on Friday night.
Rebounding has been a key issue for the team, but they're able to offset it with a spectacular offense that currently averages 80.4 points per game (35th nationally).
That was on display in the 72-69 win over Baylor. Iowa State was outrebounded 37-17, but Deonte Burton (14.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg) countered with 22 points on 10-of-17 shooting.
Senior guard Monte Morris (16.3 ppg, 6 apg) had 17 points and had another solid passing ratio of seven assists to zero turnovers.
Iowa State is favored by 4 points and is 15-11 against the spread this season.
