The third ranked Iowa State men visit Iowa Thursday night in the 78th meeting in the series. One of the biggest questions is will this game even be close? The winning margin in the last six games has been 14 points or more, including last year when the Cyclones posted their most lopsided win in the series 90-65 in Ames.

That’s Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger. Two years ago in Iowa City the Hawkeyes ambushed the Cyclones at the start and led by as many as 29 points en-route to a 75-56 win. Otzelberger says a better start is a must in this game.

Otzelberger says the keys remain the same in every road game.

Iowa State is 7-1 and a number three ranking in the AP Poll is the highest since 1957. Hawkeye coach Fran McCaffery says a strength of the Cyclones is depth.

The Cyclones win with defense and toughness and they have already played two teams ranked in the top five.

McCaffery says the Hawkeyes must prevent the Iowa State guards from dominating the game.

Iowa has won four of the last six games and leads the al-time series 48-29. Tip off is 6-30 in Carver-Hawkeye and the game will be televised by Fox Sports One.