One of the better opening day matchups in SEC basketball is the one going down in Columbia on Friday.
Iowa State, last year’s Big 12 tournament champion and No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, travels to take on Missouri’s new-look squad, led by new head coach Cuonzo Martin and the freshman sibling duo of Michael Porter Jr. and Jontay Porter.
The Cyclones lost seven seniors from that Big 12 Championship team, but still have plenty of talent to make an NCAA tournament run, while the Tigers look to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013.
Here’s a look into how these two teams match up on the hardwood.
Players to Watch
Donovan Jackson (Iowa State)
Monte Morris, one of the greatest point guards in Iowa State history and the NCAA’s leader in assist-to-turnover ratio four years in a row, graduated and was drafted in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft with the 51st overall pick by the Denver Nuggets.
Morris made Iowa State go, which is what Donovan Jackson will be expected to do more as a lead guard and ball-handler this upcoming season.
His assist percentage isn’t elite for a point guard, but it’s certainly serviceable for someone with the limited amount of opportunities that Jackson has had in his one year at Iowa State (he played 35 games, all coming off of the bench).
Jackson can also shoot the three-point shot very effectively, posting a 45 percent mark last season and shooting 4-of-7 in their exhibition win over Emporia State.
If Jackson can become even 75 percent of what Morris was to Iowa State, he will be a very solid player and will lead Iowa State to a very successful 2017-18 campaign.
Jeff Beverly (Iowa State)
Iowa State doesn’t boast much depth right now as players get used to their system.
The Cyclones only played 7 players in their exhibition, so finding production in any way possible is going to be important from them as they go through their non-conference schedule.
One of the most important players that needs to produce early is UT-Arlington grad transfer Jeff Beverly, who as an undersized forward, is not afraid to maneuver around the basket and put up shots at a high rate.
If Beverly can be as dominant down low as he showed at UTA last season, he can be one of the top players for this version of Iowa State.
Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri)
Everything that Missouri will do this upcoming season offensively will run through Michael Porter Jr.
A projected top-5 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, Porter possesses a unique skillset that only a few players in NBA history have ever possessed.
At 6’10” and 212 pounds, his shot creation and shot making abilities have drawn very favorable comparisons to Kevin Durant, and he will play a very similar role to Durant this season as the Tigers look to make a return to the NCAA Tournament.
Terrance Phillips (Missouri)
Phillips will look to be the lead guard on this Missouri squad, and his creation and shooting will be very important in this game.
He is a microwave from the outside, and his assist percentage is elite at the point guard position.
If he can improve his consistency from three-point range (35.8 percent last season) and his elite passing numbers can be maintained while cutting down on turnovers, look for Phillips to put his stamp on this game while going against ISU lead guard Donovan Jackson and Lindell Wigginton.
Of course, how much Phillips plays is still a question mark, as Cuonzo Martin recently stated that Canisius transfer Kassius Robertson may be his game one starter at point.
How Iowa State Can Win
Find a way to slow down Michael Porter Jr.
It sounds simple in theory, but Porter is an elite scorer and playmaker, so finding a way to disrupt his rhythm, whether that means playing zone or double-teaming him on the ball.
If Porter can be bothered and get frustrated, Iowa State can take advantage and limit the point output of Missouri’s offense as well as disrupt Porter’s defensive awareness.
If Porter gets it going offensively early, it’s going to be a long night for Iowa State.
How Missouri Can Win
Find secondary offense besides Michael Porter Jr.
Missouri is going to primarily rely on him to create most of their opportunities, but if the Tigers can get solid production from Phillips, Robertson, Kevin Puryear, Jordan Barnett, Robertson, and Jontay Porter, things will be much easier.
Keeping those other players engaged will be very important to Missouri’s success moving forward, so starting the season with a balanced scoring attack will be very beneficial to that.
Game Details
Date: November 10
Time: 9 p.m. EST
TV: SEC Network
Who wins on November 10?
- Missouri (83%, 58 Votes)
- Iowa State (17%, 12 Votes)
Total Voters: 70
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