West Virginia scouting: Cyclones attempt 6-0 start in Big 12 against DeVries – CycloneFanatic.com

January 15, 2025; Houston, Texas, United States; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Darian DeVries drives against the Houston Cougars in the first half at Fertitta Center. Mandatory credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The Iowa State Cyclones (15-1, 6-0) head east for Saturday’s game against the West Virginia Mountaineers (12-4, 3-2) in Morgantown (4 p.m., ESPN+).

With a 12-game winning streak – the longest active streak in the country – and a perfect 5-0 start in conference play, Iowa State is establishing itself as one of the best teams in college basketball. Saturday’s test drive presents a different challenge.

Iowa State has historically struggled in Morgantown, having won there only twice since West Virginia joined the Big 12. The Mountaineers, led by first-year head coach and former head coach of Drake Bulldog. Darian DeVriesis 8-1 at home so far this season.

Cyclones soar high after Top 10 win

The Cyclones are coming off a dominant performance against No. 9 Kansas on Wednesday night. TJ Otzelberger’s The team closed the game on a 16-2 run, earning a 17-point victory and tying the 1944 team for the best conference start in school history. The win also marks the best 16-game start in program history.

Curtis JonesIowa State’s sixth man started due to injury at forward Milan Momcilovicshined against Kansas, continuing his first campaign as an all-Big 12 team. The Big 12’s second-leading scorer had seven 20-point games this year and earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors earlier in the season. His ability to intervene in big moments was essential for the Cyclones, especially late in the game.

Major contributors step up their efforts

Keshon Gilbert also stood out for Iowa State, leading the team in minutes and assists while averaging 15.5 points per game. Gilbert’s growth during his second year as a Cyclone earned him a spot on the Wooden Award’s midseason Top 25 Players to Watch list.

Tamin Lipsey continues to anchor the team on both ends of the field. Lipsey leads the team in steals and ranks second in assists. His ability to disrupt opposing attacks has made him a key element this season.

Meanwhile, transfers Joshua Jefferson, Brandon Chatfield And Dishon Jackson brought versatility and resistance to the paint. Jefferson leads the team in rebounding and has earned four Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors, while Jackson’s shot blocking and interior presence have been critical.

Mountain climbers pose a threat

West Virginia returns home after splitting a two-game road trip, with a loss to No. 10 Houston and a win at Colorado. The Mountaineers have already beaten two top 10 teams this season, demonstrating their ability to compete at a high level.

Javon Petita transfer from Oklahoma State, leads West Virginia with 19.4 points per game and ranks among the top 25 scorers in the country. His game against the Iowa State backcourt will be one to watch.

With the absence of star guard Tucker DeVriesthe Mountaineers had a number of guys step up and contribute. Illinois transfer Amani Hansberry averaging 10.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He’s a stretch four who can knock the ball down for three-pointers at a high level. He is shooting 31.1% from behind the arc this season.

Freshman Jonathan Powell stepped up for DeVries in a big way. Like Hansberry, Powell can really shoot the ball. The 6-foot-6 guard is averaging 9.2 points per game and shooting an impressive 37.8 percent from three. In Big 12 play, Powell made two or three threes or more in every game but one.

Darian DeVries has quickly transformed the Mountaineers into a competitive team. Despite losing 97% of their scoring last season, West Virginia’s defensive intensity kept them in games, holding their opponents to 64.3 points per game.

Saturday’s game will be a battle between Iowa State’s high-powered offense and West Virginia’s stout defense. The Cyclones lead the Big 12 in scoring, averaging 85.4 points per game, while shooting an efficient 49.5 percent from the field. Conversely, West Virginia ranks 20th nationally in opponent’s field goal percentage, limiting teams to just 38.9 percent shooting from the field.

Iowa State and West Virginia will meet for the 25th time on Saturday, with the Mountaineers holding a 14-10 advantage in the series. West Virginia has dominated recent matchups in Morgantown, winning the last eight games.

A win in Morgantown would extend Iowa State’s winning streak and solidify its place atop the Big 12 rankings. It would also bolster the Cyclones’ NCAA Tournament resume, as they continue to climb the national rankings, occupying currently 5th place in NET and 4th place in KenPom.