The Iowa State Cyclones (18-2, 5-2 Big 12) welcome the Colorado Buffaloes (12-8, 2-5 Big 12) to Hilton Coliseum for a Big 12 conference matchup. Our Iowa State vs. Colorado prediction dives into the projected starting lineups, key player matchups to watch, and a score projection for this Thursday night contest.
Colorado vs. Iowa State Projected Lineups and Key Matchups
Colorado Buffaloes Starting Lineup
- Barrington Hargress (14.2 PPG)
- Felix Kossaras (4.2 PPG)
- Sebastian Rancik (13.4 PPG)
- Bangot Dak (11.4 PPG)
- Elijah Malone (8.8 PPG)
Iowa State Starting Lineup
- Tamin Lipsey (10.8 PPG)
- Killyan Toure (8.2 PPG)
- Milan Momcilovic (18.8 PPG)
- Joshua Jefferson (15.6 PPG)
- Blake Buchanan (7.5 PPG)
Iowa State will look to add to its two-game winning streak after beating both UCF and Oklahoma State by double digits. Colorado is trying to break a five-game losing streak. The Buffaloes had a promising 10-1 start to the season before losing seven of their last nine games (only one of which was a 10+ point defeat).
Milan Momcilovic has been the nation’s best marksman this season, as the junior leads the country in 3-point percentage. He currently leads men’s college basketball, making 54.1% of his attempts. His 80 makes are also the most in the nation. Momcilovic has six games of 25-plus points so far this season for ISU.
Joshua Jefferson has recorded two triple-doubles this season, tied for the most in the country. Jefferson became the first player in program history to have multiple triple-doubles in a career. Tamin Lipsey holds the most steals in program history and is in the top four in Big 12 history for career steals.
MORE: Nate Oats Is Building Alabama’s Best Class Since Brandon Miller
He leads the Big 12 and is 21st in the country with 2.4 steals per game and is third in the country with a 4.8 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Colorado freshman Isaiah Johnson used to be a weapon off the bench, but his play has earned him a spot in the rotation. He’s coming off a 20-point, six-assist performance against UCF. Barrington Hargress is averaging 14.2 points and 4.6 assists per game, while shooting 54.8% overall and 53.6% from deep.
Colorado committed just three turnovers against Kansas, setting a team record for fewest turnovers in a conference game. However, Iowa State’s elite defense has been a top-15 unit in the country in each of T.J. Otzelberger’s five seasons.
Colorado vs. Iowa State Prediction and Preview
The Cyclones suffered consecutive losses in the middle of the month (road losses to Kansas and Cincinnati), but they’ve regained their elite form in the two contests since (171-128 cumulative score in their past two games) and once again look like a true title threat.
Iowa State checked in at the seventh-best team in our latest power rankings, owning what might be the best combination of defense and offensive star power (Momcilovic and Jefferson are combining for 36.2 PPG) in the nation.
Virginia transfer Blaker Buchanan is a handful on the interior and should allow the home team to dominate the glass for all 40 minutes, an edge that feels insurmountable.
MORE: PFSN’s 2025-2026 Men’s CBB Power Rankings
The profile of Colorado (top-40 in both assist-to-turnover rate and FT%) is more interesting than their recent results (five straight losses, four of which they failed to clear 71 points), but only if they can keep the game close.
Is that going to be the case tonight? Unlikely.
Iowa State rarely gives up free throws, which lessens the impact of that strength, and its speed on defense figures to give the Buffaloes all sorts of trouble. They are struggling despite their top two scorers shooting 47.3% from distance.
Clean looks are nearly impossible to get against the Cyclones, and that figures to make 60 points something of an accomplishment if the road team can get there.
Prediction: Iowa State 80, Colorado 59
How To Watch Colorado vs. Iowa State
- Date: Thursday, Jan. 29, 2025
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Ames, IA
- Arena: Hilton Coliseum
- TV Channel: FS1
- Live Stream: FuboTV
