Opposition Report: Iowa State Cyclones – College Layup — Live scouting, team analysis & game film by Eldon Khorshidi

NCAA Tournament — Friday, March 28, 7:27 ET

Iowa State Cyclones

Record
OVERALL: 28-7
CONFERENCE: 11-7
HOME: 15-1
ROAD: 4-6
NEUTRAL: 9-0

*If the videos do not appear, “refresh” the webpage once

[wptab name=’STATISTICS’]

UConn - Iowa State, Stats

	UConn	Iowa State
Avg. Poss Length	18 seconds (178th fastest)	15.2 seconds (8th fastest)
Points Per Possession	1.09 (87th)	1.14 (28th)
Points Allowed Per Possession	.96 (24th)	1.02 (109th)
Scoring	72.5 PPG	83.2 PPG
Scoring Allowed	63.7 PPG	74.2 PPG
Rebounding	35.4 RPG	38.8 RPG
Assists	12.6 APG	18.5 APG (1st)
FG%	45%	48%
Opponent FG%	39%	42%
Effective FG%	52%	54%
Opponent Effective FG%	44%	47%
3P%	39% (18.5 attempts)	36% (24 attempts)
FT%	77% (21.2 attempts)	70% (23 attempts)
Point Distribution	48% 2-Pointers 30% 3-Pointers 22% Free Throws	50.5% 2-Pointers 30.4% 3-Pointers 19.2% Free Throws
Shot Attempt Distribution	55.5% Jump Shots 32.5% Around Basket 6.5% Post-Ups 6.5% Runner	45% Jump Shots 35% Around Basket 13.3% Post-Ups 7% Runner
Offense	84% Half Court 16% Transition	83% Half-Court 17% Transition
Defense	97% Man 3% Zone	96% Man 4% Zone

[/wptab]

[wptab name=’THE OPPONENT’]

THE OPPONENT

*If the videos do not appear, “refresh” the webpage once

Iowa State enters this game coming off an 85-83 win vs. North Carolina, and riding a six-game winning streak. Even without Georges Niang—who averages 16.5/4.5/3.6—Iowa State is difficult to game plan for because they have multiple offensive options.

Between the size of 6-4 point guard DeAndre Kane, scoring versatility of Melvin Ejim and Dustin Hogue, and the shooting of Naz Long and Matt Thomas, the Cyclones spread the floor, look for openings, and attack. They play uptempo, averaging 15.2 seconds per possession (8th fastest in the country). But although they’re fast, they aren’t reckless. Iowa State is deliberate in its ball movement, ranking 1st in the country in assists per game, and 11th in 3-pointers made.

They are an offensive juggernaut, averaging 83 points per game on 48% shooting.

All their guys can handle the ball vs. pressure; five players make at least one 3-pointer per game; and four players are averaging at least 14 points per game in the NCAA Tournament. They are quick, skilled and accurate, both passing and shooting the ball.

Defensively, though, Iowa State is susceptible. They give up 1.02 points per possession (109th nationally), and opponents are shooting an effective field goal percentage of 47%. Iowa State lacks size in the front-court, as their tallest regular starter is 6-foot-7. They don’t have a strong interior defender or shot blocker, and thus they are susceptible to guard penetration. Napier and Boatright can attack the second level of their defense, to score or kick it out. Iowa State is also susceptible on the glass—yes, they lead the country in defensive rebounds, but they don’t have great size down low, and were out-rebounded vs. North Carolina.

DeAndre Kane, a 6-4 graduate transfer via Marshall, is the team’s primary ball handler and de facto point guard. He runs the offense, and a lot like Napier, does whatever is required to win. He can score and facilitate from anywhere—top of the key, foul line or baseline. He’s also one of the best guard rebounders in college basketball. He often grabs a rebound and starts the fast break himself.

Kane isn’t the quickest player, but he’s got the size, strength and body control to score anywhere inside the arc. He is also capable from 3, shooting 39% on 3 attempts per game. Kane is Iowa State’s primary pick-and-roll ball handler. He attacks open lanes, and changes direction with the ball. Kane plays with his “head on a swivel,” continuously surveying the defense, allowing him to facilitate from anywhere.

Additionally, an underrated aspect of Kane’s game is his movement without the ball. Although he’s the main ball handler, he also slashes off screens for easy backdoor looks. Check it out:

Foul line back-cut
— They’ve run this action throughout the season. Beware.

Backdoor
— Kane will go backdoor if you overplay or deny him the ball.

So yes, Kane is a do-it-all point guard. He’s big on dribble penetration. Weak-side help and timely rotations are needed.

Starting alongside Kane in the backcourt is 6-2 freshman Monte Morris. Morris is an undersized guard who can shoot and penetrate. He’s not great at either (31% on jump shots/40% at the rim), but Morris is shifty and has a quick release. It’s best to deny him from getting into the second level of the defense, where he uses a polished floater over length.

Big 12 Player of the Year Melvin Ejim is a multifaceted forward, who brings an inside-outside threat. He can score from anywhere on the court, including 3-point range. Ejim is physical, can post up, or face up and shoot. They do a good job of isolating matchups. If they feel Ejim has an advantage, they will isolate him. He’s a dynamic scorer, and a beneficiary of the attention Kane receives. They might try isolating Ejim against DeAndre Daniels. In fact, he’s similar to Daniels, not in terms of body type but in terms of scoring versatility.

6-6 junior Dustin Hogue is a good athlete, but he’s more “junkyard dog” than skilled. You can’t let him outwork you on the glass or in transition. 20% of his buckets are via cutting, 17% via offensive rebounds, and 15% in transition. Physical and rugged. But he can also shoot the 3. Be aware of Hogue slowly creeping out to the perimeter, because he can catch-and-shoot from distance (35% on 2 attempts per game).

Make sure you box out Hogue, because he’s automatic on put-backs. Strong, athletic and physical.

6-8 junior Daniel Edozie is likely to start in place of the injured Niang. He’s averaging only 5.7 minutes per game, but he could play a big role vs. UConn. At 6-8, 245 pounds, he has a massively strong body to compete down low. He scores on drop-offs in the paint, and is strong on the glass. Match his physicality down low.

The two sharpshooters are Naz Long and Matt Thomas. Both come off the bench, and they are deadeye shooters.

63 of Long’s 83 field goals this season are 3-pointers; he can flat-out shoot, and with serious range. Make sure you’re there on the catch for Long, and keep the pressure. He lets it go with minimal separation.

That said, he is apparently a much better shooter with his feet set (catch and shoot), than off the bounce. Per Synergy, he’s made 49 catch-and-shoot jump shots, compared to only 2 shooting off the dribble.

Same for Thomas. He was a deadeye shooter throughout high school, and it’s translated to Iowa State. 85% of his attempts are jump shots, and 60% of those are catch and shoot. He’s more capable than Long creating off the dribble, but the point is: Get a hand up.

In summary, we’ve covered seven players: DeAndre Kane, Monte Morris, Melvin Ejim, Dustin Hogue and Daniel Edozie as starters; Naz Long and Matt Thomas off the bench.

Kane sets up the offense, facilitates from everywhere, and uses his 6-4 frame to get in the lane; Ejim can score from the post or perimeter, depending on the matchup; Hogue is versatile below the foul line, for put-backs and angles; Morris is crafty and has a polished floater; and Edozie is physical as hell down low for rebounds and put-backs. Off the bench, Naz Long and Matt Thomas are deadeye shooters who can single-handedly put away games. Be ready on the catch, especially for 6-4 Naz Long, who’s been on fire lately.

[/wptab]

[wptab name=’KEYS TO WIN’]

KEYS TO WIN

— Defend the 3-point line (they’re 11th in 3-pointers made)
— Focus early in possessions (they come out “guns blazing,” average only 15 seconds per possession)
— Contain DeAndre Kane’s penetration
— Close out on Naz Long (deadeye shooter)
— Gang Rebound
— Get out in transition! Kane often crashes the boards, and they don’t drop back on defense quickly enough
— Penetrate the lane (they lack size, don’t have great shot blockers)

[/wptab]

[wptab name=’LINEUP’]

STARTERS –
G — DeAndre Kane (6-4)
G — Monte Morris (6-2)
F — Dustin Hogue (6-6)
F — Melvin Ejim (6-6)
F — Daniel Edozie (6-8)*

RESERVES
G — Naz Long (6-4)
G — Matt Thomas (6-3)

*Edozie started vs. North Carolina, but isn’t guaranteed to start on Friday

[/wptab]

[wptab name=’DEANDRE KANE’]

#50 DeAndre Kane (SR) — 17 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.3 SPG
PG, 6-4, 200

49% FG (11.8 attempts)
39% three-point (3 attempts)
65% FT (6.7 attempts)

30.7% assist rate (66th)

What He Brings:

— 6-4 point guard. Offense runs through him. Can initiate offense from anywhere on the court.
— 23% of offense in pick and roll. Can use or abandon screen. Strong handle with either hand.
— Takes it up strong. Wants to get in paint and facilitate.
— Averaging 19 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6 assists in the Tournament. Will come out guns blazing.
— Plays with “head on a swivel,” continuously surveying the defense, allowing him to facilitate from anywhere.
— Cuts backdoor to get him the ball closer to the basket

Video

Driving Right

Driving Left

24 points vs. North Carolina

Misses vs. North Carolina (9-18)

Facilitating (court vision)
— Shooters are ready when he drives.

Crashing Boards (offense)
— Doesn’t give up. Strong, physical, aware .

Defensive Rebounding

Post Up
— They might try isolating Kane in the post vs. Napier/Boatright

Cutting Backdoor

Foul Line Cut

[/wptab]

[wptab name=’MELVIN EJIM’]

#3 Melvin Ejim (SR) — 18 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2 APG, 1.2 SPG
F, 6-6, 220

51% FG (13 attempts)
34% three-point (3.8 attempts)

What He Brings:

— Big 12 Player of the Year
— Inside-outside threat. Can score from anywhere.
— Physical to post up; smooth to shoot from 3
— Constant movement off the ball
— They do a good job of isolating matchups. If they feel Ejim has an advantage, they will isolate him. Not great attacking off the bounce, but Ejim can shoot the 3, and he also establishes position deep in the paint for back-to-the-basket looks. He’s a dynamic scorer, and a beneficiary of the attention Kane receives.

Video

Shooting

Transition Scoring

Cutting

Finishing / Post Up
— Establishes deep position in the post

[/wptab]

[wptab name=’MONTE MORRIS’]

#11 Monte Morris (FR) — 6.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG
G, 6-2, 170

42% FG (5 attempts)
39% three-point (1.9 attempts)

What He Brings:

— Crafty ball handler to get in the paint
— Can shoot 3’s on the catch
— Polished floater
— Good handle, but not great finishing at the rim

Video

Recent Scoring

Assists (facilitating)

Runner

Finishing Struggles

[/wptab]

[wptab name=’DUSTIN HOGUE’]

#22 Dustin Hogue (JR) — 11 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1 APG
F, 6-6, 215

56% FG
22-63 three-pointers this season

60% Effective Field Goal% (48th nationally)

What He Brings:

— Bouncy athlete; not super skilled but he will outwork you.
— 20% of buckets “cutting”, 17% offensive rebounds, 15% in transition.
— Capable 3-point shooter. Hogue lurks to the 3-point line; beware.
— Make sure to box out; automatic on put-backs.

Video

Cutting / Slashing

Crashing Boards (offensive rebounds)

Catch and Shoot 3’s
— Sets up inside, but can go to 3

[/wptab]

[wptab name=’DANIEL EDOZIE’]

#42 Daniel Edozie (JR) — 1 PPG, 1.6 RPG
F, 6-8, 245

What He Brings:

— Only 5.7 MPG, but should see increased role
— 6-8, 245 pounds. Massive body down low.
— Scores on drop-offs in the paint, and is strong on the boards. Match his physicality.

Video

Edozie Possessions

[/wptab]

[wptab name=’NAZ LONG’]

RESERVES

#15 Naz Long (SO) — 7 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 1.2 APG
G, 6-4, 205

44% FG (5.4 attempts)
40% three-point (4.5 attempts)

What He Brings:

— Shooter! 63 of 83 made field goals are 3’s
— 80% of jump shots are catch and shoot
— Quick release, unlimited range
— NBA, range, will have an even bigger role now that Niang is injured. He is looking to shoot at all times!
— Hardly ever shoots off the dribble (2-9 this season). Be there on the catch.

Video

Shooting (catch and shoot)

Off the Dribble Struggles

[/wptab]

[wptab name=’MATT THOMAS’]

#21 Matt Thomas (FR) — 5.7 PPG, 2.2 RPG
SG, 6-3, 200

37% FG, 34% three-point (3.7 attempts)

What He Brings:

— Shooter! Be ready on the catch
— 44 of 66 made field goals are 3’s
— Better with feet set but also capable off the dribble

Video

Catch and Shoot 3’s

Off the Dribble Shooting Discomfort

[/wptab]

[wptab name=’VIEW AS SINGLE PAGE’]

UConn - Iowa State, Stats

	UConn	Iowa State
Avg. Poss Length	18 seconds (178th fastest)	15.2 seconds (8th fastest)
Points Per Possession	1.09 (87th)	1.14 (28th)
Points Allowed Per Possession	.96 (24th)	1.02 (109th)
Scoring	72.5 PPG	83.2 PPG
Scoring Allowed	63.7 PPG	74.2 PPG
Rebounding	35.4 RPG	38.8 RPG
Assists	12.6 APG	18.5 APG (1st)
FG%	45%	48%
Opponent FG%	39%	42%
Effective FG%	52%	54%
Opponent Effective FG%	44%	47%
3P%	39% (18.5 attempts)	36% (24 attempts)
FT%	77% (21.2 attempts)	70% (23 attempts)
Point Distribution	48% 2-Pointers 30% 3-Pointers 22% Free Throws	50.5% 2-Pointers 30.4% 3-Pointers 19.2% Free Throws
Shot Attempt Distribution	55.5% Jump Shots 32.5% Around Basket 6.5% Post-Ups 6.5% Runner	45% Jump Shots 35% Around Basket 13.3% Post-Ups 7% Runner
Offense	84% Half Court 16% Transition	83% Half-Court 17% Transition
Defense	97% Man 3% Zone	96% Man 4% Zone

THE OPPONENT

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Video: 3-Point Shooting