Iowa State @ Texas Christian preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 9, 2019 ) Texas Christian 92, Iowa State 83

After losing back-to-back games at home, No. 20 Iowa State might be glad to hit the road for Saturday’s matchup against TCU. The Cyclones fell two games behind first-place Kansas State in the Big 12 following last Tuesday’s 73-69 loss to Baylor and hope to bounce back against TCU, which has lost three in a row.

Iowa State is looking to avenge a 92-83 loss to TCU at Hilton Coliseum on Feb. 9, when the Horned Frogs quieted the home crowd with a 27-4 first-half run before shooting 63.3 percent in the second half. Senior guard Marial Shayok is averaging a team-high 19.1 points for the undersized Cyclones, who rank ninth in the conference in rebounding margin at plus-0.6 and were dominated on the boards against Baylor by a 44-28 margin. “They came in here and kicked our butts," coach Steve Prohm told reporters. “We've got to find a way to be tougher. That’s the bottom line.” The Cyclones need to find an answer for TCU big men Kendric Davis and Kevin Samuel, who combined for 28 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in the first meeting earlier this month.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT IOWA STATE (19-7, 8-5 Big 12): Sophomore reserve guard Lindell Wigginton, the reigning Big 12 player of the week, was limited to 10 points against Baylor but is averaging 16 points and shooting 45.9 percent from 3-point range over the past seven games. Freshman guard Tyrese Haliburton leads the conference with a 4.5 assist-to-turnover ratio and scored nine points on three 3-pointers in Tuesday’s loss. The team’s impressive backcourt includes senior Nick Weiler-Babb (9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists), who is shooting a career-high 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and ranks second in the conference in assists.

ABOUT TCU (17-9, 5-8): After being held to eight points in a loss to Oklahoma last Saturday, leading scorer Desmond Bane (15.0) responded with 19 points and seven rebounds in Monday’s 68-61 loss to Oklahoma State. Sophomore forward Kouat Noi, averaging 14.8 points and 4.6 rebounds, has missed the last two games with a left-ankle injury but is expected to be cleared to start Saturday. Senior guard Alex Robinson ranks sixth in the nation at seven assists per game to pace the Horned Frogs, who boast the second-best 3-point defense in the league.

TIP-INS

1. Iowa State has won 11 of the 20 previous meetings against TCU, with the series tied 4-4 in games played in Fort Worth.

2. TCU has won 10 of its last 13 Big 12 home games dating back to last season.

3. Iowa State is 66-8 when leading at the half under Prohm.

PREDICTION: Iowa State 84, TCU 78