Turnovers will be critical when the Miami basketball team plays Iowa State in the Midwest Regional semifinal in Chicago on Friday night. Miami vaulted to fifth nationally in turnover margin after the win over Auburn in the NCAA Tournament second round in Greenville, South Carolina on Sunday night.
In their win over Auburn, Miami committed four turnovers and forced 13. The Hurricanes had a 17 to two advantage in points off turnovers. Forcing turnovers, turning those into points taking care of the ball and limiting points off turnovers will be critical for Miami against Iowa State. Iowa State is 30th in turnover margin.
Miami is plus 4.6 per game this season after the victory over Auburn. Iowa State has a plus-three turnover margin per game this season after their win against Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Iowa State has committed 23 turnovers in two NCAA Tournament games and forced 36. Miami has committed seven turnovers and forced 31.
The Miami guards have been exceptional through two NCAA Tournament games. Iowa State also has an exceptional group of guards. The Cyclones‘ four leading scorers are guards. The Miami basketball team has an edge in experience. Freshman guard Tyrese Hunter is the second leading scoring for Iowa State.
Izaiah Brockington leads Iowa State in scoring. Brockington played his freshman year at St. Bonaventure, was at Penn State for three seasons before transferring to Iowa State for this year. Brockington will compete against a Miami team with four sixth-year seniors. Miami should be able to pressure the Iowa State guards.
Brockington averages two turnovers per game, Hunter 3.3 and Gabe Kalscheur 2.6 with Iowa State a total of 13.6 per game. Charlie Moore is the only Miami guard who averages two turnovers per game. If Miami continues with the Jim Larranaga game plan in the scramble defense, they should be able to force Iowa State turnovers.