BYU to Face Iowa State in Crucial Big 12 Showdown

Ames, Iowa — The No. 23 BYU Cougars are set to face the No. 10 Iowa State Cyclones on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. MST on ESPN2 in a matchup that holds significant implications for the Big 12 conference tournament seeding.

Throughout the Big 12 basketball season, Iowa State (22-7, 12-6) has battled a series of injuries, while BYU (21-8, 12-6) has largely been healthy. However, the Cougars may see a key player absent, as 6-foot-9 freshman Kanon Catchings is questionable after suffering a left knee injury during a recent game.

“It wasn’t as bad as it looked, which is great,” BYU head coach Kevin Young mentioned during a press briefing on Monday. “He is kind of day to day, and that is how we are approaching it.”

Catchings has contributed 7.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game and has had standout performances, notably scoring 23 points in an overtime victory against Baylor and 14 points in a narrow win against then-No. 19 Arizona. His potential absence could be felt by the Cougars, who will face a challenging Iowa State squad at Hilton Coliseum, where they hold a strong home court advantage.

Young acknowledged the importance of the matchup, particularly since both teams are tied for fourth place in the Big 12 standings. The top four teams receive byes in the conference tournament and do not compete until the quarterfinals next Thursday in Kansas City.

“Some teams are better when they just focus on what is right in front of them,” Young said. “That seems to be the case with this group.” He emphasized their focus on taking things one day at a time while being aware of broader tournament implications.

No matter the outcome of Tuesday’s game or Saturday’s Senior Night matchup against Utah, BYU will at worst secure a No. 5 seed in the upcoming tournament, a significant achievement considering they had a new coach and were predicted to finish ninth in the league.

When asked how the Cougars have managed their success this season, Young cited belief, execution, and togetherness, as well as the importance of patience in this journey. “That’s where we have been able to move the needle,” he said.

The game marks a critical moment in Young’s tenure, as Iowa State boasts a 15-1 home record this season. BYU faced a disappointing loss to the Cyclones last year, falling 68-63 after leading at halftime but struggling in the second half.

Iowa State’s head coach, T.J. Otzelberger, described the Cougars’ strength, particularly in the backcourt with the emergence of 6-foot-9 freshman Egor Demin alongside Hall. “They’ve got older guys. They’ve got experienced, veteran guys that know how to find ways to win,” he noted.

The Cyclones are known for their defensive prowess, forcing an average of 15.2 turnovers per game, ranking 17th nationally. Meanwhile, both teams have potent offenses, with Iowa State averaging 80.2 points per game, while BYU averages 81.0.

“We have to go in there with the mindset that no matter what they do, we are going to be under control offensively,” Young stated. “Their defense is different than West Virginia’s… we have proven that we can score against good defensive teams.”

As the stakes rise with both teams eyeing favorable positioning for the conference tournament, fans eagerly anticipate another thrilling installment in this growing rivalry.