*Editor’s note: With the Kansas Jayhawks past the halfway point of the Big 12 slate, this blog will take a look ahead at the future of Iowa State. If you missed it the first time around: [Get to know Iowa State basketball.][1]*
In the first matchup, about two weeks ago, Kansas took full advantage of its size in a 76-72 victory over Iowa State in Hilton Coliseum.
The Jayhawks controlled the glass for a 41-24 rebounding edge while they received balanced scoring from Frank Mason III (16 points), Landen Lucas (14), Svi Mykhailiuk (13) and Carlton Bragg (10).
For the Cyclones, Monte Morris led with 23 points and Deonte Burton scored 21. They shot 44 percent from the field but were kept at an arm’s length for the majority of the second half before trying to make a couple of spurts in the final minutes.
Since facing the Jayhawks, the Cyclones have a 2-2 record with a road loss against Vanderbilt and home loss against West Virginia. In the past three games, Matt Thomas is averaging 19.3 points and has drilled 16 of 22 3-pointers (73 percent).
Thomas is four points shy of joining the school’s 1,000 point club and would become the 34th member to reach that milestone.
**Interesting note:** Of Iowa State’s eight losses, five are against teams ranked inside of the top 15 (Gonzaga, Baylor, Kansas, West Virginia and Cincinnati). Those five losses were by an average of 4.4 points.
**Series history:** Kansas leads 179-63. The Jayhawks own a 51-9 record against Iowa State inside of Allen Fieldhouse, including 11 straight wins.
**Vegas says:** Kansas by 10.
The Cyclones signed three players during the November signing period: two guards and a wing. All of them are from the high school ranks, though the Cyclones have been known to pick up a few players from the transfer market.
The biggest shoes to fill will be in the backcourt. Iowa State will lose all-Big 12 standout point guard Monte Morris, Naz Mitrou-Long, Matt Thomas and Deonte Burton.
*PG Lindell Wigginton | 6-1, 185*
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– Wiggington plays alongside Kansas commit Billy Preston at Oak Hill, helping the team to a 26-3 record. He averaged a team-best 16.4 points during his junior season, shooting 42 percent from behind the 3-point arc.
– He took an official visit to Ames on Sept. 23 and committed about a month later. He’s ranked No. 31 in the nation by Rivals and 42nd by ESPN.
– A native of Nova Scotia, Canada, Wiggington chose the Cyclones over Oregon and Arizona State.
– Wigginton cited Iowa State coach Steve Prohm’s experience developing point guards Isaiah Canaan and Cameron Payne at Murray State for his decision to play for the Cyclones.
– *QUOTE:* “Lindell was a huge get for us,” Prohm said. “I love him and his family. He plays at Oak Hill, where he’s played against great competition the last couple years. It makes for an easier transition from high school to college. He’s athletic, fast with the ball, can really score, but also makes others better.”
*G Darius McNeill | 6-2, 170*
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– A combo guard from Westfield (Texas) High, McNeill picked the Cyclones over Baylor, Texas Tech and Cincinnati. He’s rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals.
– McNeill committed on the same weekend as his official visit in early September. He stayed with Monte Morris on the visit and said he became comfortable after talking with the all-Big 12 point guard, hoping to follow in his footsteps.
– *QUOTE:* “He can play the one or the two and is an unbelievable athlete,” Prohm said. “We bring in athleticism on the perimeter, which we needed, but also scoring. I think Lindell and Darius can be a very good backcourt for the future of Big 12 basketball here at Iowa State.”
*SF Terrence Lewis | 6-6, 185*
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– Committed to Iowa State in August. The Milwaukee native had reported offers from Illinois, Marquette and UNLV.
– A four-star prospect, he’s ranked No. 58 in the nation by ESPN and No. 116 by Rivals. He was named the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s area player of the year last season after averaging 22.2 points and 9.9 rebounds.
– Leading Riverside High to a 12-6 record, Lewis is averaging 27.9 points per game on 64 percent shooting and 9.5 rebounds. That includes a 52 percent mark from the 3-point line.
– He joins a long list of players from Milwaukee to play for the Cyclones, including Jameel McKay, Deonte Burton and Donovan Jackson.
– *QUOTE:* “In the Big 12, I think you need size on that wing position,” Prohm said. “After coaching (Abdel) Nader in my first year, Terrence is more in that mold. A big wing. Another guy with a great, great family and a great work ethic. He loves to work on his game, but really the biggest skill that he has is that he can really shoot the basketball.”
[1]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/call-nightengale/2017/jan/15/getting-to-know-iowa-state-basketball/