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Texas Tech opens Big 12 play today against Iowa State. The Cyclones are usually up towards the top of the conference and this should be a good test for the Red Raiders. Can Texas Tech leave Ames with a win or will the Cyclones damper some Red Raider hype?
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Iowa State Key Players
| Category | Stat | Name |
| Points/Game | 15.3 | G Nazareth Mitrou-Long |
| Rebounds/Game | 8.0 | G Deonte Burton |
| Assist/Game | 5.7 | G Monte Morris |
| 3pt Made/3pt % | 30/81, 37% | G Nazareth Mitrou-Long |
| Free Throw % | 16/20, 80% | G Nazareth Mitrou-Long |
Iowa State is a guard-centric team. Nazareth Mitrou-Long leads the way and can do it all. He's leading the team in scoring and has taken the most 3-point shots and free throws. The Cyclones have 4 players who are averaging double-digit points a game, so the Red Raiders will have their hands full.
Last 5 Games
| 12/1 Cincinnati | L 55-54 OT |
| 12/5 Omaha | W 91-47 |
| 12/8 Iowa | L 78-64 |
| 12/17 Drake | W 97-80 |
| 12/20 Mississippi Valley State | W 88-60 |
The Cyclones have three losses on the year but those came at the hands of Gonzaga, Cincy, and Iowa. They lost to #11 Gonzaga by two points and lost to Cincinnati by 1 in an overtime game. Iowa State's best non-conference win was against Miami. The Cyclones beat the Hurricanes by 17 in a 73-56 victory.
Prediction
Texas Tech 73 - Iowa State 77
The line for this game is at -5 in favor of Iowa State. If this game was in Lubbock, the line might only be 2 or 3 in favor of Iowa State. Ames is a tough place to play and it gives Iowa State the advantage in this one. Texas Tech will look to keep things close in this one and who knows maybe that can sneak out of Ames with a W.