Iowa State Hopes to Tap Its Energy. AMES — No. 3 Iowa State is looking to ride its momentum and tap into every ounce of energy as it heads into a tough matchup against Baylor. The Cyclones, unbeaten at 14-0 overall and 1-0 in Big 12 play, will test themselves on the road Wednesday in Waco, Texas, against a Baylor squad that has proven to be one of the most efficient offensive teams in the nation.
Iowa State Hopes to Tap Its Energy. The Cyclones’ latest win, an 80-58 dismantling of West Virginia at Hilton Coliseum, highlighted the emerging impact of freshman guard Jamarion Batemon. Head coach T.J. Otzelberger even compared Batemon’s energy to former ISU star Tyrus McGee a comparison that carries serious weight among longtime fans. Batemon, modest about the praise, said, “Uh, I don’t know who (that) is, but if T.J. compared me to him, I know it’s a good thing.” His back-to-back 3-pointers in that West Virginia game provided a spark, exemplifying why the Cyclones are confident heading into their matchup with Baylor.
Baylor, coming off a 69-63 loss to TCU in its Big 12 opener, remains a formidable opponent. Ranked 12th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency and fourth in offensive rebounding by KenPom, the Bears have weapons across the floor. Their recent addition, seven-footer James Nnaji a 2023 NBA Draft pick made his debut, scoring five points, grabbing four rebounds, and nearly fouling out in 16 minutes against the Horned Frogs. “They’re a team, offensively, (that’s) really hard to account for,” said Otzelberger. “They’ve got a lot of weapons, and more than anything, they’re an elite offensive rebounding team. Their bigs put in tremendous effort, and now they’ve got guards and big wings attacking the boards.”
Winning in Waco will not be easy, even with Iowa State having recently snapped an eight-game losing streak there with back-to-back wins. This contest represents only the Cyclones’ second true road test of the season, adding extra importance to team focus and energy. “It’s really important that you pour into one another,” Otzelberger said. “You get that feeling on the road that it’s your group against everybody else. You’re playing against all these distractions, and your job is to stay focused on giving your best effort each possession.”
While stars like Joshua Jefferson, coming off his first career triple-double, point guard Tamin Lipsey, ISU’s all-time steals leader, and Milan Momcilovic, the nation’s leading 3-point shooter at 56.3 percent, grab the spotlight, Batemon’s contributions off the bench are becoming increasingly hard to ignore. The 6-foot-3 freshman from Milwaukee has played between four and 28 minutes in the first 14 games, already notching a seven 3-pointer performance and shooting 3-for-3 from deep against West Virginia. His combination of speed, poise, and power injects the team with an energy that can shift momentum in critical moments.
“I’m a competitor,” Batemon said. “Knowing how important a spark is and how much it contributes to winning, I definitely want to keep doing that. I take pride in it.”
Otzelberger’s praise of Batemon carries historical context. Comparing him to McGee, who starred off the bench during Otzelberger’s tenure as an assistant to Fred Hoiberg in 2011-12 and 2012-13, underscores the freshman’s potential to become a consistent game-changer. “It’s high praise,” Otzelberger said. “I hold Tyrus in very high regard.”
As Iowa State looks to extend its perfect start to 15-0, the team’s depth and energy will be key factors against Baylor’s multifaceted attack. If the Cyclones can harness their talent while staying disciplined and energized, they’ll have a shot at continuing their historic run.
