Iowa State basketball: 3 takeaways from the Cyclones' win vs. TCU

Iowa State basketball: 3 takeaways from the Cyclones’ win vs. TCU

Posted by author February 9, 2025 Basketball

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AMES − How about that spacing?

In Milan Momcilovic’s first game since Jan. 11, Iowa State basketball had one of its best shooting performances of the season, defeating TCU, 82-52, on Saturday.

Curtis Jones had a game-high 24 points. Momcilovic had 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, which included a 4-of-6 clip from long range. Dishon Jackson added 14 points and five boards. Joshua Jefferson recorded another double-double, finishing with 13 points, 10 boards, two steals and two blocks.

Iowa State (18-5, 8-4 Big 12 Conference) led from start to finish and pulled away from TCU with a 20-9 run to close the first half.

Here are three takeaways from the Cyclones’ win:

Milan Momcilovic returns from hand injury, plays in first game

Momcilovic practiced for the first time on Thursday, but his prospects for a return to game action were still unclear.

Given the quick turnaround, a return for the TCU game seemed unlikely. But on Saturday morning, it was reported that Momcilovic was indeed suiting up and playing for the Cyclones.

Iowa State basketball: Milan Momcilovic on his return to game action

A return date was initially uncertain, but Iowa State basketball’s Milan Momcilovic returned in time for the Cyclones’ win over TCU.

Momcilovic was showered with applause when he made his entrance for warmups and the crowd cheered every made shot.

“What I wanted to do is wake up today and as we went through our game day practice and see was there swelling?” Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “How did he feel after two straight practices? Where was his head at mentally? Then, once we felt good that he was going to play − there’s a certain rhythm to our team with how we sub and all that − to me, it was a no-brainer to put him back into the starting lineup.”

He had a quiet first half, but scored all 14 of his points in the second half.

“Just good to be back on the court with my teammates,” Momcilovic said. “I felt ready to go, so I played. First half, I was just a step slow, a little rust. That’s going to happen being off 3-4 weeks. Second half, picked it up and played well.”

Iowa State basketball: Curtis Jones on Cyclones’ win over TCU

Iowa State basketball Curtis Jones discussed Iowa State’s win over TCU on Saturday.

Cyclones offense rejuvenated with Momcilovic’s return, interior play

At 12-11, TCU isn’t exactly a world-beater, but it was promising to see the Cyclones get back on track offensively.

After posting season-low numbers against Kansas, Iowa State shot 31-of-52 (59.6%) overall and 9-for-19 (47.4%) from deep Saturday.

The 59.6% shooting clip is the second-highest this season, only behind their 60.3% mark in a 99-71 win over Colorado on Nov. 27.

The 47.4% showing from 3-point range is the third-highest this season, behind the 47.6% against Baylor on Jan. 4 and their season-high 61.5% showing in the Jan. 15 win over Kansas.

“Just seeing the lanes being a little less clogged than it normally is, it’s big time,” Jones said. “We’re a team that actually likes to score in the paint, so scoring in the paint, it’s got to be open spacing in there. Milan brings that and I feel like when I’m out there, I can bring that as well. Having two guys that do that really opens up the floor for guys like Tamin (Lipsey), Keshon (Gilbert), myself and everybody else.”

Momcilovic’s return played a role and provided a boost and driving lanes were much less congested than they were in the past. But Jackson and Jefferson also set the tone inside with their physicality and play around the basket.

Both frontcourt starters scored in double figures and combined for an 11-of-15 shooting performance. They also helped Iowa State outscore TCU in the paint, 44-28.

“(Jefferson) created so much offense for us and then has another double-double, which I never take for granted,” Otzelberger said. “Dishon was dominant early, scoring at the rim and the paint. His confidence is continuing to grow and his ability to finish plays, so I thought those guys controlled the interior for us today and that was extremely important.”

One nitpick for an otherwise solid team-wide offensive performance is that the Cyclones surrendered 15 turnovers. TCU didn’t have the offensive punch to punish the Cyclones. The Horned Frogs missed several dunks and layups inside, so those turnovers weren’t costly − this time around.

Iowa State basketball: TJ Otzelberger on Milan Momcilovic’s return

Iowa State basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger discusses Milan Momcilovic’s return. He had 14 points in the Cyclones’ 82-52 win over TCU on Saturday.

Cyclones’ rotation going forward

With the way Jones was playing, gaining All-American caliber praise from the likes of Kansas coach Bill Self or getting on the cover of Slam Magazine, there was curiosity regarding if he would become the full-time starter moving forward, even when Momcilovic is healthy.

Now, with Momcilovic back, both players have returned to their usual roles, with Jones reclaiming his spot as sixth man off the bench.

Both players thrived Saturday. For Jones, it was a big 24-point performance on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting after hitting a bit of a cold spell in the Cyclones’ recent three-game losing streak.

Momcilovic was assertive in his return, attempting seven 3-pointers. He scored in double figures for the first time since the Jan. 4 win over Baylor.

One other notable change to the rotation is that Demarion Watson, who had seen an uptick in minutes with Momcilovic out, is back to a reduced role. Watson didn’t check in to the game until there was 2:38 left and the Cyclones virtually had the game won.

“What Demarion has demonstrated is that we can count on him, he’s had some impactful moments over the last seven games or whatever it’s been and he’s going to have more impactful moments as the season goes on,” Otzelberger said. “Demarion’s had tremendous character, been a phenomenal teammate and always been ready when his number has been called and I know that will continue to be the case.

“Tonight, it just went one way, because maybe there wasn’t a lot of fouls, maybe there were certain things that were going well with our rotation, but he needs to continue to stay ready.”

Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.