January 4, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Christian Anderson (4) dribbles the ball around Utah Utes guard Hunter Erickson (0) during the second half at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Mandatory attribution: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images

No. 3 Iowa State (13-1, 3-0) travels to Lubbock, Texas, for a Saturday afternoon showdown with the Texas Tech Red Raiders (11-3, 2-1) at United Supermarkets Arena (1 p.m , ESPN).

Cyclones face a tough test at Texas Tech in Lubbock

The Cyclones, riding a peak 10-game winning streak, will show off their momentum Saturday when they take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena. Iowa State is looking to solidify its place as one of the best teams in the country. Texas Tech enters the matchup with two impressive road wins and is looking to extend its winning streak against top-10 opponents to 11 straight seasons.

The dominant path of the cyclones

Iowa State’s 10-game winning streak includes statement victories over conference rivals Colorado, Baylor and Utah. The Cyclones lead the Big 12 with an average of 86.3 points per game and excel in not turning the ball over with just 9.6 turnovers per game. Their turnover margin of +6.2 is another Big 12 Conference best.

Curtis Jones was a spark plug for Iowa State, leading the team with 16.6 points per game despite coming off the bench. In their most recent win over Utah, Jones delivered a 23-point, six-assist and five-rebound performance. Preseason All-American point guard Tamin Lipsey returns to last season’s form. He averages 10.5 points and 5.3 assists per game while coordinating the Cyclones’ offense. Lipsey’s 20-point performance against Utah showcased his ability to deliver in crucial moments when the offense stagnates.

Joshua JeffersonThree-time Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, was instrumental on both offense and defense. The former Saint Mary’s standout averages 11.6 points per game and is a defensive force, highlighted by an eight-steal game against Colorado. Iowa State’s depth is further illustrated by Keshon Gilbert (16.2 PPG), a mid-season Canadian Wooden Award, and Milan Momcilovic (10.7 PPG), making them a versatile threat.

Home advantage for the Red Raiders

Texas Tech returns to Lubbock with confidence after decisive road wins over Utah (93-65) and BYU (72-67). The Red Raiders have been dominant at home, posting an 8-1 record this season. They have prevailed against top opponents in the past, including a 79-50 win over No. 6 Kansas last season.

The Red Raiders lead the Big 12 in shooting efficiency, hitting 51.2% of their field goals and 39.4% from long range. They also rank third nationally in effective field goal percentage. Chance McMillian has no chance from three-point range and leads the nation by a margin of 50% (36 to 72). McMillian’s seven-game streak of scoring in double figures includes his most recent 16-point performance at BYU.

Darrion Williamsthe Big 12 Player of the Week, anchors the Red Raiders’ balanced attack. Averaging 16.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists, Williams has scored double-digit points in 12 straight games. His game play was evident with a season-high nine assists against Utah. JT Toppinanother key contributor, puts up 17.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game and has recorded five double-doubles this season. He can get it going offensively in a heartbeat. The Cyclones have to keep him in check.

Key to the game

Limiting Texas Tech’s shooting efficiency will be crucial for Iowa State. The Cyclones’ defensive prowess, led by Jefferson and Lipsey, was the cornerstone of their success. They rank first in the Big 12 with 9.8 steals per game and will look to disrupt the Red Raiders’ offensive rhythm with live turnovers.

On the other hand, Texas Tech will look to take advantage of its home field advantage and efficient offense. The Red Raiders’ ability to share the ball – averaging 17.9 assists per game – could challenge Iowa State’s defense, especially if they are in rotation. Elijah Hawkinsfresh with a season-high 22 points at BYU, and Drake transfer Kevin Overton Provide additional firepower to technicians from the bench.

The Red Raiders have a proud tradition of defeating top-ranked teams, but victories over Iowa State have been rare when the Cyclones have been in the top 10. The Red Raiders’ only win under such circumstances came in 2015 with a 78-73 victory over Lubbock. Iowa State will look to maintain its dominance in the series and continue its quest for a Big 12 regular season title.

With both teams firing on all cylinders, Saturday’s showdown promises to be a hard-fought encounter with the game of the year clearly on the cards. Iowa State’s depth and defensive acumen may give them a slight advantage, but Texas Tech’s home-field advantage and sharp shooting cannot be overlooked. Expect a game that lives up to its expectations, with the outcome likely only being decided in the final minutes.