Iowa State and U.N.I. collide Wednesday night for the 46th time when the teams play in the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls. The Cyclones are 6-0 after a lopsided win over Montana State and this will be the first road test for coach Fred Hoiberg’s team. Hoiberg says it will be a great atmosphere and the first real road test for his team against a very well coached team.
This game will match an Iowa State team that averages just over 84 points per game against a UNI squad that is giving up just under 58 points per game. Hoiberg says Ben Jacobsen is as good a defensive coach as there is in basketball and it will be tough to score a bunch of points against them.
Hoiberg says the Cyclones want to push the tempo, and play the same way they have by scoring in transition, penetrating and kicking the ball out.
U.N.I. coach Ben Jacobsen says Hoiberg has brought in a new style of play at Iowa State. Jacobsen says they have opened up the floor in transition and in the quarter court and that has opened up a lot of opportunities, and they have made lots of three’s.
Jacobsen says a key for the Panthers will be to limit easy baskets as the Cyclones push the ball on made or missed shots and they will have to do a good job of getting back. He says they will be challenged defensively as they have to defend guys who can put it on the floor and can shoot from long range.
Jacobsen says the game will feature two front lines that like to get out and run. Iowa State opened the in-state series with a victory over Drake while this will be the first game the Panthers in a series that will determine the mythical state champion. Jacobsen says they are great games for the state and fun for the fans to be a part of, not matter which in-state teams are playing.
By Elwin Huffman KOEL Oelwein