Iowa State Set for Historic Maui Matchup Against Auburn
Lahaina, Hawai’i – In an exciting clash on Monday, November 25, No. 5 Iowa State (3-0, 0-0 Big 12) will face No. 4 Auburn (4-0, 0-0 SEC) in the opening round of the prestigious 2024 Maui Invitational. Scheduled for 8 p.m. CT at the Lahaina Civic Center, this competition is notable for featuring four top ten teams, including UConn and North Carolina, alongside Memphis, Colorado, Michigan State, and Dayton.
Iowa State comes into the tournament with a dominating start to the season, achieving an average victory margin of 33 points. Under coach T.J. Otzelberger, the Cyclones are known for their tenacious defense, ranking third nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency and forcing turnovers on 28% of possessions. This matchup marks the first-ever instance of a top-10 first-round game in Maui history.
Auburn also enters the tournament in strong form, winning its games by an average of 28 points and recently scoring a significant upset against then-No. 4 Houston. This victory propelled the Tigers into the top five of the AP Poll, surpassing Iowa State.
Key players for Iowa State include sixth-man Curtis Jones, who leads the team in scoring with 15 points per game, and junior Tamin Lipsey, with averages of 13.7 points and three steals. The Cyclones have shown remarkable depth, with five players averaging double figures, including last season’s standout Keshon Gilbert.
Both teams share a rich history, having previously met four times, with the last two matchups occurring in the Big 12-SEC Challenge. As both teams are renowned for their defensive talents, fans can expect a gripping contest as Iowa State and Auburn vie for early-season supremacy in Maui. The game will be televised on ESPNU and available on the Cyclone Radio Network.
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Photo credit cyclones.com