Iowa State Returns Home To Face Colorado

01.28.2010 | Men's Basketball

By: cyclones.com

AMES, Iowa- Iowa State (12-8, 1-4 Big 12) will try to end a three-game losing streak, returning home to face an improved Colorado (11-9, 2-4 Big 12) team this weekend. ISU owns a 17-1 mark vs. Colorado in games played in Hilton Coliseum since 1992. ISU's only loss during this span was on Jan. 22, 2005 (54-52 in overtime).

Who: Iowa State (12-8, 1-4) vs. Colorado (11-9, 2-4)
When: Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010 ? 8 p.m.
Where: Ames, Iowa ? Hilton Coliseum (14,356)
Radio: Cyclone Radio Network/Learfield
Talent: John Walters (pxp); Eric Heft (color)
Television: CTN/ESPN360/ESPN Full Court
Talent: B.J. Schaben (pxp); Kevin Lehman (color)
Affiliates: Ames/Des Moines (WOI); Cedar Rapids/Waterloo (KCRG); Davenport (WHBF); Sioux City (KCAU); Mason City/Ottumwa/Keokuk (Mediacom)

Cyclone Notebook
- Iowa State (12-8, 1-4 Big 12) will try to end a three-game losing streak, returning home to face an improved Colorado (11-9, 2-4 Big 12) team this weekend.
- ISU owns a 17-1 mark vs. Colorado in games played in Hilton Coliseum since 1992...its only loss during this span was on Jan. 22, 2005, 54-52 in overtime.
- ISU has won four-straight games to CU in Ames.
- ISU newcomer Marquis Gilstrap fell one rebound shy of making history vs. Oklahoma on Wednesday...Gilstrap had 11 points and nine boards, one rebound shy of his fifth-straight double-double...former Texas star Kevin Durant is the only Big 12 player to begin his conference career with five double-doubles in his first five games.
- The Cyclones have a chance to break school season marks in a pair of statistical categories...at its current rate, ISU will set its all-time single-season records in both 3-point shooting percentage (42.6 percent) and blocks (5.4 bpg).
- ISU is currently second nationally in 3-point shooting percentage, making 42.6 percent of its shots from beyond the arc...Marquette is first at 43.3 percent.

Last Time Out
- Iowa State, down by as much as 21 points overall and 18 points with 13:00 minutes left in the game, battled back to give Oklahoma a scare in Norman before falling 89-84 Wednesday night.
- The Cyclones cut the lead to three points on three occasions in the second half, but the Sooners answered with a big bucket when needed.
- ISU shot 58.9 percent from the field and outrebounded OU, 34-28, but 18 turnovers, including 14 in the first half, put the Cyclones in a hole they could not dig out of.
- It marks the first time in the Greg McDermott era where ISU lost a game when shooting 50 percent or above from the field (15-1).
- Six Cyclones reached double figures, led by Diante Garrett's 17 points.
- Garrett, who handed out eight assists for the second consecutive game, notched his 38th game with five or more assists.
- Marquis Gilstrap, who is third in the Big 12 in double-doubles with nine, fell one rebound shy of his fifth-straight double-double, registering 11 points and nine boards.
- His 11.6 rpg game average in league games only ranks second in the Big 12.
- Chris Colvin gave ISU a spark from the bench with a career-high 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field...Colvin also established a career best in 3-pointers made with two and scored all of his 11 points in the second period.
- Scott Christopherson is making the most out of his new starting assignment, scoring 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range in the loss.
- Christopherson is 10-of-17 from downtown (58.8 percent) in his last four games and his season 3-point percentage (52.9 percent; 27-51 3FG) is on pace to be the best in school history.
- ISU was 10-of-19 from 3-point range (52.6 percent) in the game, tallying 10 or more treys in a game for the fifth time this season.
- ISU currently ranks No. 2 nationally in 3-point shooting percentage, making a phenomenal 42.6 percent (149-350 3FG) of its shots from beyond the arc...that total is on pace to break ISU's single-season mark.
- ISU has now outshot 14 of 20 opponents this year (58.9%-48.5%).
- ISU continued to keep its streak intact of not allowing an opponent to shoot above 50 percent from the field this season.
- ISU blocked three shots in the game...the Cyclones are averaging 5.6 blocks in conference games to tie for third in the league.

Cyclone-Buffalo Quick Facts
- Iowa State leads the all-time series vs. Colorado at 75-67.
- The series is extremely lopsided favoring the home team...the Cyclones have a 46-18 advantage in games played in Ames and a 32-5 edge in games in Hilton Coliseum.
- CU has a 46-16 advantage in games played in Boulder and a 22-8 lead in the series in games played in the Coors Events Center.
- ISU and CU have split the series every year since 2001 when the Cyclones captured a pair of victories.
- ISU is 17-1 vs. CU in Hilton Coliseum since 1992, suffering its only loss in 2005.
- In last year's meeting in Ames, the Cyclones led at the half, 37-9 and cruised to a 70-42 win...the nine points at the half broke the Big 12 mark for lowest points scored in a half and set a Cyclone modern era mark for fewest points allowed in a half.
- Craig Brackins is averaging 17.0 points and 8.3 rebounds in four games vs. the Buffs...he has scored 20 points or more in his last two games vs. CU (24 & 26).
- ISU junior LaRon Dendy and CU junior Marcus Relphorde were teammates last season at Indian Hills C.C., in Ottumwa.

A Closer Look At Colorado
- Despite its 11-9 overall record and 2-4 mark in the Big 12, Colorado is one of the most improved teams in the conference.
- The Buffs have lost many close games and one of its wins in the league was a 78-71 triumph over No. 22 Baylor, ending a nine-game losing streak vs. ranked opponents.
- CU will try to end another streak on Saturday, seeking its first Big 12 road win since Jan. 21, 2006, a 32-game skein.
- Junior guard Cory Higgins is one of the best players in the Big 12, ranking fourth in the league in scoring at 18.2 ppg...Higgins has led the team in scoring 11 times this season.
- Higgins gets to the foul line a lot and is efficient when he gets there, making 83.6 percent of his shots from the free throw line (107-128).
- Freshman guard Alec Burks is one of the best rookies in the Big 12, leading all Big 12 freshmen in scoring at 17.2 ppg, which also ranks eighth overall in the conference.
- Burks is leading the team in field goal percentage (53.1 percent) and in rebounding (5.0 rpg).
- Senior guard Dwight Thorne II is giving the Buffs a spark from off the bench, averaging 8.9 ppg...Thorne is making 55.6 percent of his shots from downtown (25-45 3FG).
- CU leads the Big 12 and ranks fourth nationally in free-throw percentage, making 76.9 percent of its shots from the charity stripe.
- The Buffs are an efficient offensive team, averaging 76.4 ppg and making 48.7 percent of their shots from the floor, ranking fourth in the league.

Gilstrap Joins Elite Company
- Senior forward Marquis Gilstrap, who is in his first season with the Cyclones, has been impressive in the opening of his Big 12 career.
- The preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, Gilstrap recorded four-straight double-doubles to begin Big 12 competition, averaging 18.0 points and 12.3 rebounds in league games only.
- His 11.6 rpg average in conference play ranks second in the league and his nine double-doubles on the season ranks third in the Big 12.
- Only one other player in Big 12 history debuted with four double-doubles in their first four conference games of their career...former Texas national player of the year and current NBA star Kevin Durant is the other...Durant notched double-doubles in his first five games of his Big 12 career (2007).

Iowa State Team Trends And Facts
- ISU has used three different lineups this season.
- The Cyclones ended their 16-game Big 12 road losing streak with a 56-53 victory over Nebraska in Lincoln on Jan. 16.
- Nine of ISU's wins have been by 10 or more points, the most 10+ wins in a season since 2004-05 (12).
- ISU has scored 70 points or more in 13 of 20 games this season, averaging 75.4 ppg...ISU is 32-5 in the Greg McDermott era when scoring 70 points or more.
- ISU's scoring offense is currently at a 10.5 ppg increase from last season...ISU averaged 64.9 ppg last year (75.4-64.9).
- ISU has scored 80 or more points in 10 games...the Cyclones only reached 80 points once last season.
- ISU scored 80 points or more in four-straight games (Iowa, Bradley, North Dakota, Houston) for the first time since the 2005-06 season.
- The Cyclones scored 90 points or more in consecutive games (at Drake; vs. Mississippi Valley State) for the first time since the 2000-01 season.
- ISU defeated Mississippi Valley State, 96-55...the 96 points is the most in the Greg McDermott era...the most points scored by a Greg McDermott-coached team vs. a Division I opponent was 99 against Iowa State when he was head coach at UNI (2004).
- ISU won five consecutive games by 20+ points for just the third time in school history and for the first time since 2000.
- ISU is fifth in the Big 12 and 42nd nationally in field goal percentage (47.2 percent).
- ISU ranks 15th nationally in least amount of personal fouls (15.3 fpg)...ISU has had equal or less fouls than its opponent in 17 of 20 games this year.
- ISU has not allowed a team to shoot above 50 percent this season...ISU opponents are shooting 41.3 percent from the field.
- ISU has shot 50 percent or above in eight games for a 47.2 percent season tally...ISU is 15-1 when shooting 50 percent or above in the McDermott era.
- In the first three seasons of the Greg McDermott era, ISU only shot above 50 percent eight times...ISU has done it eight times this season after only achieving the mark just once a year ago.
- ISU has outshot 14 of 20 opponents this year.
- ISU is second nationally and leads the Big 12 in 3-point field goal percentage at 42.6 percent (149-350 3FG).
- In Big 12 play, ISU is shooting 43.0 percent from 3-point range (37-86 3FG).
- ISU has shot 40.0 percent or above from 3-point range in 13 games.
- ISU is sixth in the Big 12 in 3-pointers made per game at 7.5 3FG.
- ISU ranks fourth in the Big 12 in assists at 15.6 apg.
- The Cyclones have had equal or more assists than turnovers in a game 12 times this season.
- ISU ranks fourth in the Big 12 and 27th nationally in blocks at 5.4 bpg.
- The Cyclones are averaging 6.6 blocks per game in the last eight games.
- ISU is 32-2 in the McDermott era when its opponents score under 60 points.

Iowa State Player Quick Facts
Craig Brackins
- Preseason All-American...Naismith Award candidate.
- Named Big 12 Player of the Week four times in his career...once this year.
- Has 28 20-point games and four 30-point games in his career.
- Has 16 20-point/10-rebound games and 24 double-doubles in his career.
- Recorded 20 points in a half four times in his career...once this year (Iowa).
- Ranks 15th on ISU's career scoring chart with 1,328 points.
- Ranks eighth on ISU's career blocked shot chart (86).
- Ranks 16th on ISU's career field goal made chart (495).
- Ranks 18th on ISU's career rebounding chart (618).
- Has 83 career starts to to tie for 17th all-time in school history.
- Has 67 double-digit scoring games in his career.
- Posted back-to-back 20-point/10-rebound games vs. Drake and Mississippi Valley State to earn Big 12 Player of the Week honors.
- Has six double-doubles and two 20-point/10-rebound outings this year.
- Scored 20 or more points four times this year.
- Ranks 10th in Big 12 scoring (15.9 ppg) and seventh in rebounding (7.8 rpg).
- Second on the team in assists (2.5 apg)...has surpassed his season assist total from last year (43) by seven assists (50).
- Named to the Chicago Invitational All-Tournament team (17.1 pts./7.6 reb.).

Diante Garrett
- Bob Cousy Award nominee.
- Averaging 8.5 points and 5.5 assists.
- Second in the Big 12 and 26th nationally in assists at 5.5 apg.
- Has the team's longest current starting streak at 52-straight games.
- Handed out five or more assists 38 times in his career...13 games this season.
- Ranks ninth on ISU's all-time career assist chart with 362.
- Has a 2.1 assist/turnover ratio to rank sixth in the Big 12.
- His career 1.59 assist/turnover ratio ranks 10th all-time in school history.
- Has six double-digit assist games in his career...two this season.
- The active Big 12 leader in double-digit assist performances with six.
- Tied his career high with 11 assists at Drake, tying the Knapp Center record.
- Scored a season-high 17 points vs. Oklahoma.
- Dished out eight assists in the last two games.

Marquis Gilstrap
- Started all 20 games, averaging 14.9 points and 9.2 rebounds to rank fifth in the Big 12 and 44th nationally on the boards.
- In Big 12 play, averaging a double-double at 16.6 points and 11.6 rebounds, ranking second in the conference in rebounding (league games only).
- Leads the team with nine double-doubles to rank third in the Big 12.
- Recorded a double-double in four of five Big 12 games.
- Joined NBA star and former Texas standout Kevin Durant as the only two players in Big 12 history to record double-doubles in their first four games vs. Big 12 competition...Durant did it in his first five games.
- Scored in double figures in 18 of 20 games.
- Recorded three 20-point games.
- Is 13-of-25 from 3-point range (52.0 percent) in last seven games, making a trey in seven-straight games.
- Recorded his first double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds vs. Chicago State...the 15 boards was the most by a Cyclone since Brackins had 16 vs. SIU-E.
- Posted a career-high 25 points vs. Bradley (7-11 FG; 3-4 3FG).
- Was solid in his Big 12 debut with 20 points and 13 rebounds vs. No. 1 Texas.
- Five-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week winner (Nov. 23; Dec. 21; Jan. 4, 18, 25).

Scott Christopherson
- Averaging 7.4 ppg.
- Started last three games, averaging 10.7 ppg in that span.
- Shooting 52.9 percent (27-51 3FG) from 3-point range.
- Has met the minimum requirement for 3-point percentage in a season (20 made), currently ranking No. 1 on ISU's season chart at 52.9 percent.
- Scored in double figures eight times.
- Recorded two or more 3-pointers nine times.
- Is 10-of-17 from 3-point range (58.8 percent) in last four games.
- Made back-to-back 3-pointers in the 2nd half at Nebraska to aid ISU to victory.
- Tallied 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range vs. Oklahoma.

Justin Hamilton
- Started 19 games at center...leads team in FG percentage (73.2 pct./41-56 FG).
- Is a career 62.8 percent shooter from the field (98-156 FG).
- Averaging 2.0 blocks in last four games.
- Tallied a season-high 11 points vs. No. 3 Kansas.
- Missed the North Dakota State game because of a concussion.

LaRon Dendy
- Scored 16 points and grabbed seven boards in his Cyclone debut vs. Idaho State.
- Missed five games because of a knee sprain this season.
- Averaging 7.8 points and leads ISU in blocks (1.5 bpg), ranking seventh in Big 12.
- Averaging 2.2 blocks in Big 12 play, ranking fifth in the league in blocks (league games only).
- In his Big 12 debut vs. No. 1 Texas recorded 14 points and six boards.

Chris Colvin
- Missed three games while serving a team suspension.
- Averaging 3.4 points and 2.1 assists.
- Posted career highs in points (11) and 3-pointers (2) vs. Oklahoma.

Dominique Buckley
- One of ISU's reserves at the guard spot.
- Averaging 1.9 points and 1.1 assists.
- Tallied career highs in points (10), field goals (3), 3-point field goals (3) and assists (5) vs. Texas Tech.

Limited Bench
- At the beginning of the season, it looked like Iowa State would have its deepest bench in years...however, injuries, departures and dismissals have depleted the Cyclone bench to just three scholarship players.
- Antwon Oliver, a scholarship player, and Bubu Palo, a walk-on, were slated as redshirts at the beginning of the season...senior Jamie Vanderbeken joined the pair as redshirts after battling numerous injuries in the preseason...Vanderbeken was expected to be a strong contributor in the post for ISU this season, but he we will now seek a medical redshirt.
- Charles Boozer became the next casualty when he was lost for the season after suffering an ACL tear in his right knee in the Texas game (Jan. 13)...he was coming off a career-high 19-point performance vs. North Dakota State.
- On Jan. 19, Lucca Staiger, who started the first 17 games of the season and made 48 3-pointers, abruptly quit the team and decided to pursue a professional basketball career in his native country of Germany.
- L.A. Pomlee was dismissed from the team on Jan. 8 and Chris Colvin was suspended for violating team rules and missed three games...Colvin has been reinstated.
- ISU is now dressing nine players and just eight scholarship players.

Gilstrap And Brackins Strong On The Boards
- The rebounding tandem of Marquis Gilstrap and Craig Brackins has helped ISU rank sixth in the league in rebounding margin (+1.9).
- This is a significant improvement for the Cyclones, which finished ninth in the league in rebounding margin last year at -1.6.
- Gilstrap averages 9.2 rebounds and Brackins is at 7.8 rpg, ranking fifth and seventh, respectively, in the Big 12 Conference
- Gilstrap ranks 44th nationally in rebounding.