The Iowa State men’s basketball team will play their early season Tournament this weekend with one game in mind; a rematch with the team that ended their 2014-15 season: the UAB Blazers.
Iowa State Ready for Potential Revenge Game at ECC
The Cyclones travel to Niceville, Florida for the 2015 Emerald Coast Classic, facing Virginia Tech on Friday Night (tip off at 7:00 PM ET on CBS Sports Network) and either UAB or Illinois on Saturday (tips at 4:30 PM ET with loss, 7:00 PM ET with a win.)
UAB beat Iowa State in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament 60-59, in a game that was described by Junior Monte Morris as, “Straight Pitiful.”
“Our focus is on beating Virginia Tech,” Senior Georges Niang said after Iowa State beat Chattanooga on Monday. “The last time we looked ahead, UAB snubbed us.”
So Iowa State will attempt to focus completely on Virginia Tech. Aside from their opener, (gave up 85 points in a loss) the Hokies have been exceptionally well on defense, giving up an average of just 58 points. Not that it was against any formidable opponents.
For instance, the Hokies gave up an opening night loss to Alabama State, a team that has not won a game since.
ISU is ready for a potential revenge game against UAB on Saturday. Illinois lost a buy game to Chattanooga and needed a buzzer beater to beat Chicago State. The Illini just don’t look pretty.
All things considering, expect Iowa State and UAB to meet in the Tournament’s Championship game on Saturday at 7:00pm ET.
“Everybody knows who we want,” Senior Jameel McKay said. “We’re not going to say it.
“Of course, we’re going to try to take care of business, and if God blesses us, we play UAB on Saturday and that’s that,” McKay added.
Main Photo via Getty Images.
