Iowa State Threatening Kansas’ Hold on the Big 12

A few months ago, Jameel McKay Iowa State’s big man was the player that was going to take the Cyclones to heights never before reached.

When Fred Hoiberg the Iowa State coach was asked in November what was different between this season and last, he spoke about one player who still had not even played in a regular season game for Iowa State.

It turns out that coach Hoiberg was right.

Iowa State is currently No. 11 in the top 25 and likely to move up. On Saturday, the Cyclones win over No. 9 ranked Kansas 86-81 was program defining and was in a big part thanks to McKay’s play.

The Cyclones showed why they are a legitimate threat to the stranglehold of 10-years that KU has had on the Big 12.

McKay was exactly what Hoiberg said he was.

The Iowa State big man playing in just his seventh game, scored 11 points in just 21 minutes of action, but had 3 blocks.

Iowa State lost two of its best players from last season, but has a different outlook and new faces that have helped to move the team on from the Melvin Ejim and DeAndre Kane era.

Hoiberg spoke of how the team now can protect the rim thanks to having McKay, something the team has not had before.

The Cyclones have enjoyed very good offensive teams that were built on mismatches, but none could win ugly with a strong defense.

Iowa State dominated Kansas on Saturday down low in the paint.

It was just the first time in the past 11 head-to-head games with KU that Iowa State had more blocks at 7 to KU’s 3. The Cyclones also outscored the Jayhawks 40-34 in the paint.

Iowa State is finally a more rounded team thanks to McKay’s presence on defense down low. They still are fanatics about shooting the trey, but the defense now can dictate outcomes of games.

Iowa State is 13-3. Two of their three losses have come with McKay playing, but it will take time for the team to get used to the weapon they now have at their disposal.

Following junior college, McKay signed to attend Marquette, but did not play a second for Marquette. In December of last year, he transferred to the Cyclones and had to sit out this year’s first semester.

Since starting to play, McKay is averaging 9 points, 5 rebounds and nearly 3 blocks per games in just over 21 minutes per game.

McKay’s rim protection has changed the way ISU can now defend.

In the past three games, McKay has blocked 12 shots.

Monte Morris has emerged as one of the country’s best setup players. Against Kansas, Morris scored 11 points but more importantly dished out 10 assists. This is his second consecutive season leading the nation in assist to turnover ratio.

Iowa State is now a legitimate threat to Kansas’ dominance in the Big 12. The Cyclones will also be a team that could take a deep run during March Madness.