The Iowa State Cyclones are coming into the NCAA Tournament on a high note after winning the Big 12 Tournament. (Getty)
The term “March Madness” is normally reserved for the NCAA Tournament. But don’t tell that to Iowa State.
The Cyclones just won the Big 12 Tournament in a wild fashion, using buzzer-beaters and overcoming double-digit deficits to claim the league’s automatic bid.
But the conference tournament was just the appetizer for “Comeback Kids.” Up next: the NCAA Tournament.
Fred Hoiberg’s Cyclones (25-8) are battle-tested after a season in the tough Big 12 and they grabbed the third seed in the South Regional.
Their opening-round opponent is No. 14 UAB.
UAB made a somewhat surprising run through the Conference USA Tournament to win the league’s automatic bid.
The Blazers made some buzz a decade ago when they reached the Sweet 16 and head coach Jerod Haase, a former star at Kansas, is no stranger to the NCAA Tournament.
Here’s what you need to know about the game:
The Basics
Who:
No. 3 Iowa State vs. No. 14 UAB
What:
NCAA Tournament – Round of 64
When:
Thursday, March 19
Where:
Louisville, Kentucky
Time:
12:40 p.m. Eastern
Channel:
truTV
Line:
Iowa State (-13.5). Read OddsShark’s game preview with all the important odds here.
Scouting Iowa State
Georges Niang leads Iowa State in scoring. (Getty)
Record: 25-8 overall, 12-6 Big 12
Coach: Fred Hoiberg, 5th season
Offensive Points Per Game: 78.4
Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 69.3
Scoring Leader: Georges Niang, 15.5
Rebounding Leader: Jameel McKay, 7.4
Assists Leader: Monte Morris, 5.2
Scouting UAB
UAB’s Theo Pinson. (Getty)
Record: 19-15 overall, 12-6 Conference USA
Coach: Jerod Haase, 3rd season
Offensive Points Per Game: 68.9
Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 67.7
Scoring Leader: Robert Brown, 13.1
Rebounding Leader: William Lee, 5.8
Assists Leader: Nick Norton, 3.9
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