On January 21, 2025, Iowa State’s men’s basketball team faced a tough challenge against No. 5 Houston without two of their key players. Curtis Jones, who usually scores 17.2 points per game, was out due to an illness. Keshon Gilbert, another strong contributor averaging 14.1 points, was sidelined with a muscle strain. This news broke earlier in the day on the CycloneFanatic forum.
This game was crucial, as Iowa State had a record of 2-1 against the Cougars since Houston joined the Big 12 Conference. However, Houston has proven to be a formidable opponent, especially at home. They have not lost a game on their home court in two seasons and have only dropped one of their last 19 games after a rough start at 4-3.
Fans were eager to see how Iowa State would fare in this matchup, especially since it was their first meeting since Iowa State’s dominating 69-41 win in the 2024 Big 12 Tournament championship.
The game was set to tip off at 1 p.m. on ESPN, and excitement buzzed among fans and players alike as the Cyclones prepared for a challenging game ahead.
