Iowa State’s Izaiah Brockington views rebounding as a constant.
If ever his shot isn’t falling, he can maintain the relentless pursuit of trying to secure the ball for the Cyclones again.
“Just go get it,” Brockington said. “If it’s up there at its highest point, I feel like I have an advantage over most people to be able to go get it. That’s a way that I can always help us win and produce. That’s about effort and energy more than anything else.”
The last part of that mindset seems to be spreading to the Cyclones, who will aim to extend their season-opening winning streak to three — and surpass the program’s victory total from last winter — when they host Alabama State on Tuesday night.
“We’re still trying to get that rhythm, offensively,” first-year Cyclones coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “We’re still getting to understand what guys do well on the offensive end. But the defense is what will carry us. For our group, there are times we’ll play bigger and there are times we’ll play smaller, but the constant is defense.”
Iowa State topped Oregon State 60-50 on Friday, limiting the Beavers to 34 percent shooting — and 3-for-22 showing from beyond the arc, while hounding them into 14 turnovers. Gabe Kalscheur (15 points) and Brockington (10 points, 12 rebounds) paced the Cyclones.
Alabama State is coming off a tough showing in Saturday’s 78-60 loss at Missouri State. The Hornets committed 16 turnovers while losing for the third straight time to begin the season, shooting 39 percent overall and 4-for-19 from deep. Gerald Liddell scored 14 points to lead four Hornets in double figures.
Juan Reyna, who had 10 points, has finished in double figures in three straight contests.
Iowa State leads the all-time series with Alabama State, 2-0. The Cyclones prevailed 79-53 in the programs’ most recent meeting, on Nov. 6, 2018.
–Field Level Media
