2-17 NCAA Tournament: Previewing the Midwest Region

March Madness: Previewing the Midwest

By Doug Winkey | Mar 13, 2017

Feb 22, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Mitch Lightfoot (44), guard Frank Mason III (0) and guard Josh Jackson (11) celebrate with the Big 12 championship hats and shirts after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs 87-68 at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 28, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15) and Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) watch a post game video after their game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on senior night at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones beat the Cowboys 86 to 83. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

5-seed Iowa State Cyclones vs. 12-seed Nevada Wolfpack

If you like offense you have to watch the Cyclones and Wolfpack duel in Milwaukee. Iowa State blew past Oklahoma State, TCU, and West Virginia to win their third Big 12 tournament championship in four years. Nevada has executed a fast turnaround under Eric Musselman and won the Mountain West by beating Utah State, Fresno State, and Colorado State.

ISU remains a high-scoring team with the 13th most efficient offense in America and scoring nearly 81 points an evening. Nevada averages 80 per game, but with a slightly less sparkling 34th rated offense. The biggest difference comes on defense where Iowa State is 43rd compared to Nevada’s 101st rating on KenPom. Those are by no means predictive numbers, but they can often indicate tournament success.

Nevada has had a great season and gets a fun matchup, but Iowa State is the more seasoned squad and playing as well as anyone in the country.

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