Iowa State looks to handle defensive pressure against Southern

After a dominant exhibiting in its season opener, No. 8 Iowa State appears to be like to safe one other non-conference win over Southern Thursday. The sport can be a second alternative for the Cyclones to observe all kinds of lineup choices.

The staff’s exhibition recreation and first matchup have been a show of its power and suppleness. Iowa State performed 11 completely different gamers in opposition to Cleveland State, and all through the non-conference slate, the Cyclones intention to good a wide range of completely different appears to be like.

“That’s the purpose. On daily basis we observe each lineup we are able to consider,” head coach Invoice Fennelly mentioned.

Utilizing gamers like senior Ashley Joens at level guard or junior Nyamer Diew as a publish participant in a 5 guard rotation helps give the Cyclones choices. The staff hasn’t shied away from roster experimentation, each schematically and personnel-wise.

Towards Cleveland State, Diew got here in as a publish participant when senior Stephanie Soares acquired into foul bother. Later within the recreation, she was bringing the ball up the ground as some extent guard.

The flexibility to plan forward when gamers are in foul bother will assist Iowa State all through the season, and a deep bench supplies potential for the emergence of recent gamers.

“They know that if you wish to play, you gotta compete for taking part in time,” Fennelly mentioned. “Once you’re on staff, that ought to occur. I feel all of them perceive it, and so they all know that versatility has at all times been valued right here.”

The staff will look to proceed its dominance in opposition to Southern.

The Jaguars will carry extra strain than Cleveland State, forcing the Iowa State’s guards to play tighter with the intention to defend the ball. Southern earned 11 steals and compelled 19 turnovers in opposition to No. 4 Iowa. Its protection left Iowa guard Caitlin Clark with a lower lip and injured ankle.

Iowa State struggled with sustaining possession in its first matchup, turning the ball over 16 instances in opposition to Cleveland State’s zone protection. The strain can be amped up in opposition to Southern, a staff that performs aggressively on the ball.

“It’s actually good preparation for groups that we’re gonna see later within the season, even for Southern as effectively,” sophomore Denae Fritz mentioned. “It’s by no means dangerous to get pressured by a staff to see how we are able to deal with the ball.”

Whereas Southern performs a chaotic protection, the staff is undersized in comparison with Iowa State. The Cyclones will look to make the most of their dimension within the backcourt, in addition to utilizing 6-foot-6 Soares down low.

Iowa State will tackle Southern at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Hilton Coliseum.