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Iowa State vs. Nevada prediction and game preview, as the No. 5 Cyclones and No. 12 Wolf Pack face off in the NCAA Tournament.

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Iowa State is no stranger to being upset in the NCAA Tournament, and they will face a possibility of that as they take on Nevada in the first round. Here’s a preview of the 5-12 game in Milwaukee.

Iowa State vs. Nevada Game Preview

Date: Friday, March 17
Venue:  BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI
Region: Midwest

Iowa State Strengths

The Cyclones have four guys who can flat out score. Monte Morris, Nazareth Mitrou-Long, Deonte Burton and Matt Thomas are all threats and share the load nearly evenly with each of them averaging in double figures. They did suffer seven road and neutral-site defeats, but five of them were by six points or fewer.

Iowa State Weaknesses

Iowa State isn’t very big. It runs with a four-guard starting lineup plus Solomon Young, who is 6-foot-8. The lack of height could be an issue on the boards if it runs into a team that can expose mismatches.

Iowa State Cyclones In-Depth Analysis

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Nevada Strengths

Eric Musselman and the Wolf Pack won their first-ever Mountain West regular season title, and a big part of the reason is because of the offensive balance. Marcus Marshall, Cameron Oliver, D.J. Fenner, Jordan Caroline and Elijah Foster are averaging double digits in scoring, with the transfer Marshall leading the way at 19.7 points per game. The starting lineup is long and athletic, and Oliver is a versatile sophomore forward who could one day play in the NBA.

Nevada Weaknesses

Outside of Lindsey Drew, who averages 5.9 points per game, the Wolf Pack do not have much of a bench. Balanced scoring from the starting five is great, but fatigue as well as foul trouble are two factors to keep an eye on for a team that is so reliant on its starters.

Nevada Wolf Pack In-Depth Analysis

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Iowa State vs. Nevada By The Numbers

Iowa State Statistics

• Scoring Margin – 8.6 (45)
• Rebound Margin –  -4.0 (301)
• TO Margin – 4.8 (4)
• 3PT FG – 39.9% (17)

Nevada Statistics

• Scoring Margin – 8.8 (41)
• Rebound Margin – 3.4 (78)
• TO Margin – .3 (165)
• 3PT FG – 38.5% (39)

Iowa State vs. Nevada Prediction

Expect a lot of Cyclones fans to take the trip to Milwaukee to see their team battle a tough Nevada team that can drain the three-pointer. In the end, the 5-12 game will come down to experience, and that falls with the Cyclones. Iowa State wins by double digits.

Iowa State vs. Nevada Prediction: Iowa State 83, Nevada 68

MORE: Complete NCAA Tournament Bracket, Previews, Predictions