NCAA Basketball: Preview of the 2018-19 Big 12/SEC Challenge

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - JANUARY 21: K.J. Lawson #13 of the Kansas Jayhawks controls the ball as Talen Horton-Tucker #11 and Nick Weiler-Babb #1 of the Iowa State Cyclones defend during the game at Allen Fieldhouse on January 21, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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AMES, IA – JANUARY 12: Head coach Steve Prohm of the Iowa State Cyclones coaches during a time out in the first half of play against the Kansas State Wildcats at Hilton Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

#24 Iowa State vs #20 Ole Miss

In one of the best games of the day, Iowa State and Ole Miss will face off in a battle of ranked teams.

The Cyclones and Rebels are two teams that are coming off of horrible seasons, but have managed to rebound and produce big bounce-back seasons.

Young, deep and balanced teams, both Iowa State and Ole Miss are very fluent offensive and defensive teams. Two of the most surprising teams in the country, Saturday’s game should be very, very entertaining.

This game features a matchup between two of the most underrated guards in the nation. Iowa State’s Marial Shayok and Ole Miss’ Breein Tyree.

Shayok is putting together a huge senior season, as the Virginia transfer is averaging nearly 20 points per game on 50% shooting. Meanwhile Tyree, a junior, is averaging 17 points per game, playing a big role in Kermit Davis’ offense.

Saturday’s game should be very high-scoring, with little wiggle room. I would expect this matchup to be a nice back-and-forth affair, with some of the league’s most underrated players getting showcased in a surprise Top-25 matchup.

Ultimately, I think this game comes down to one player – Ole Miss guard Terence Davis. Davis has had a great season in his own right, and is the Rebels leading passer and rebounder.

That combined with home court advantage, and I give Ole Miss the slight edge here.

Prediciton: Ole Miss 76, Iowa State 74

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