Kansas vs Iowa State Big 12 Tournament LIVE Stream: Wiggins and Ejim Clash in Semifinal Matchup
ByThe Kansas Jayhawks (10) survived Oklahoma State and now face the Iowa State Cyclones (16) in the Big 12 Tournament.
After a thrilling 77-70 overtime win over Marcus Smart and the Cowboys, Andrew Wiggins and Kansas are just one win away from the championship game.
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Wiggins led the way with 30 points on 9 of 17 shooting from the field. Kansas has played Iowa State well this season and beyond, but they will still be a tough test for coach Bill Self's team.
"It was an unbelievable game. Two teams competing hard, and certainly I think the first day of the most competitive league in America hasn't disappointed so far," Self said after Thursday's game, according to ESPN. "That took everything we had. We had to play out of foul trouble, and I think it took everything Iowa State had to win earlier today. So you'll have two tired teams that have to recover fast and get ready (for Friday)."
Iowa State held off Kansas State 91-85 behind strong offensive outputs from the team' three forwards. Melvin Ejim finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds, Dustin Hogue scored 19 and pulled down 10 boards, while Geores Niang contributed 18 points.
Without Joel Embiid in the low-post Kansas may have trouble handling all three physical players who love to attack the basket.
"Kansas is a team that you've already played twice," Cyclones coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters, according to ESPN. "We know everybody. Everybody knows us."
The key matchup here will be Wiggins and Ejim. Both lead their team in scoring and start at the same position. With a similar build, they will also likely be paired up to guard one another.
Niang said after the win over Kansas State that their physicality on offense was the key to victory. There is no doubt the Cyclones will bring that style of play when they tipoff against the Jayhawks.