Jameel McKay helps Iowa State get another Big 12 win, this time over Kansas State
With a big game from their new center, the Cyclones picked up another conference win over Kansas State.
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
If Iowa State seems noticeably different this year, in a good way, you can probably credit the presence of community college (via Marquette) transfer Jameel McKay. The Cyclones have always played fast and emphasized quality looks from three-point range, but McKay gives them a dimension they haven't had: an athletic shot blocker and dunker in the front court.
Without McKay -- who only became eligible in the second semester of the season -- Iowa State probably would not have beaten Kansas State on Tuesday night. The Wildcats were hanging with Iowa State at their notoriously difficult home court the entire way, but this dunk from McKay helped shift the tide in the Cyclones’ favor for good. Iowa State escaped, 77-71.
McKay was everywhere on the night, finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. He might still be coming off the bench, but McKay gives Iowa State a real hope that its fate in the NCAA Tournament is different this season than it has been the last three years.
As it has been since Fred Hoiberg arrived, Iowa State is one of the better offensive teams in the country. It showed against KSU -- five players total finished in double figures, led by 14 points, six rebounds and four assists from Georges Niang.
It was a tough loss for Kansas State, who played well throughout the night. The Wildcats were led by 22 points from Nino Williams and 16 points from Marcus Foster.
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