No. 3 Iowa State, fresh off an eight-day break, returns to close out its nonconference slate with a home game against Houston Christian on Monday night at Hilton Coliseum in Ames.
The Cyclones (12-0) have been one of the top teams in the country, impressing both offensively and defensively. They are averaging 90.5 points per game and limiting opponents to 63 points per contest.
Coach T.J. Otzelberger gave his team a few days off to enjoy the holidays. Now, the focus is on the final nonconference game against Houston Christian before opening Big 12 play against West Virginia on Friday.
Asked about the break, Otzelberger said: “We put a lot of work into our day-to-day process, so I think when there are times to reset, recharge, you need to take advantage of those. Get your body feeling great, spend the time with people you love and care about, and come back with a renewed energy and excitement for what’s in front of us.”
Otzelberger said his team discussed the successes to date, saying it’s been “great.”
However, as Otzelberger said, “Everything’s going to get harder. Everything’s going to be more difficult.”
For Iowa State, it needs to continue to see production from its leaders, starting with Milan Momcilovic, who is averaging 18.3 points per game. Momcilovic has also been a consistent threat from deep, knocking down 55.2% of his 3-point attempts (48 of 87). Joshua Jefferson is second on the team in scoring, averaging 17.7 points and seven rebounds.
Another player who is garnering attention of late is Killyan Toure, the freshman from France who is averaging 11 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Otzelberger praised Toure’s maturity recently.
“He’s obviously an extreme outlier in terms of maturity, experience, physical and mental toughness,” he said. “He handles it so well because he’s consistent. He has a higher standard for himself than what anybody else could even expect. So, what you see from Killyan each day is he’s not ever a guy that you have to talk to about going harder or giving more. I think that’s a big sign of maturity.”
Houston Christian (5-7), meanwhile, has lost three straight and been held under 70 points in its past two losses to McNeese and Nicholls. The Huskies, who are averaging 71.4 points per game, will have to hope their offense can get something going against the Cyclones’ stingy defense.
The players to watch on Houston Christian include Elijah Brooks, who is averaging 12.3 points, and Kylin Green, who is averaging 12.2 points.
Huskies coach Craig Doty is in his second season with the program, and outsiders such as Otzelberger can see progress being made.
“A lot of respect for what he’s accomplished and continues to accomplish,” Otzelberger said. “You can tell he’s made his mark on their program already. I’m sure, just like everywhere he’s been, they’ll continue to get better and have a really high standard and be an impressive program.”
These programs last faced each other Jan. 6, 2009, a 64-56 home victory for Iowa State.
