AMES – The Kansas State Women’s Basketball team is without one of its biggest stars, with post player Ayoka Lee dealing with an injury.
But the Wildcats (19-2, 7-1 Big 12) will always have one of their best players when they face Women’s basketball in the state of Iowa.
Slow down Serena Sunday can be the most important thing for Cyclones (15-7, 6-3 Big 12) When they try to bring down the Kansas State n ° 11 at the Coliseum Bramlage Thursday at 7:30 p.m. CT.
“I do not think there is a question that Sunday will be one of the finalists of the league player of our league,” said Iowa state coach Bill Fennelly. “I’m a big fan of her. She’s going to be a big pro.”
Sunday has become one of the best players of the Big 12 conference in recent seasons. The elder was a choice of pre-season All-Big 12 and was up to the media threw.
During the first 21 games of this season, it is classified first in Big 12 in assists (7.3 per game) and second in the Assistance / Turnover ratio (2.7). She also has an average of 13 points per game.
With Lee who is now missing, even more attention will focus on the 6 -foot 2 inch Sundays to manage everything for the Wildcats.
“You can’t have one person keep it,” said Fennelly. “You have to choose your spots and because they shoot the 3 so well, it is difficult to equip the double team.”
Here are three other things to look at in Thursday’s match:
More: Iowa state women’s basketball: Charlie Creme d’Espn thinks that cyclones can get out of the bubble
This could be another great opportunity for Audi Crooks
The state of Kansas discovers that life without Lee, which treating a foot injury, can be very difficult.
The Wildcats were turned upside down by Colorado on Saturday and ahead of 40-26 in painting in their first match without Lee. The Kansas State has turned it more than 15 times in what marked its first Big 12 defeat of the season.
Things will not become easier when Iowa State and Sophomore Star Audi Crooks take place in town. Crooks held up against Lee last year and will not have the All-American to fight with Thursday. The Iowa State post player is enjoying a big season, leading the league by scoring 22.2 points per game. Now she will not be Lee’s size against which to fight.
“It is not (ayoka) Lee obviously, not the height and I think it’s the only thing, when Audi has sometimes fought, it is the children who are really, really athletic or the size of an opponent” said Fennelly.
Iowa female basketball must keep the perimeter
The biggest problem of Kansas State without Lee was his shot at 3 points.
The Wildcats, which led the percentage of Big 12 field in 38%, experienced difficulties beyond the arc against Colorado and only succeeded 8 of the 28 shots. Now that the Wildcats cannot focus on obtaining the ball in the post, the 3 -point shot with it has become even greater importance.
However, they have many proven shooters. TEMIRA Poindexter (52), Taryn Sides (49) and Jaelyn Glenn (39) are underway to become the fourth set of Kansas State teammates to do 50 or more at a season. This could be a problem for a team of cyclones who had trouble keeping the perimeter and ranks 14th in the 3 -point defense league.
“We have to be better on the 3 -point line we have been,” said Fennelly.
Can cyclones get Lily Hansford or someone else?
Oregon’s transfer of state has just taken place the biggest match in his career in Cyclone after spending 12 points out of 4-7 shot from 3 points in a victory on the UCF.
More: Iowa state women’s basketball: Lily Hansford Highlight’s victory for cyclones against UCF
When the Iowa State was at its best, it received contributions from players outside its three big Crooks, Emily Ryan and Addy Brown. Arianna Jackson grew up in the team’s recent series of success. Reagan Wilson, Sydney Harris and Kelsey Joens also.
Then there is Hansford, a solid egg -state shooter before transferring to the state of the Iowa, which finally broke out of his margin against the knights.
“Everyone intensifies when necessary,” said Ryan.
Iowa State Women’s Basketball against Kansas State prediction
Even without Lee, the state of Kansas is still one of the most dangerous teams of Big 12. Wildcats dominate at both ends of the ground and were unbeatable at home. The incapacity of the state of Iowa to defend the 3 and produce constant score stretches can make too difficult for cyclones to upset.
Score: Kansas State 86, Iowa State 77
Tommy Birch, the sports company of the register and presents a journalist, has been working in the newspaper since 2008. He is the sports editor of the year 2018, 2020 and 2023. Join him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468
This article originally appeared in the register of monks: Iowa State Women’s Basketball vs Kansas State Overview: 3 keys to the game
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