Chris Cuellar - Daily Staff Writer

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Iowa State Cyclones (13-9, 2-5) vs. No. 10 Kansas State Wildcats (18-4, 5-3)

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Iowa State 75 - Kansas State 79  Final

A few desperation buckets made things look good in the end, but the Cyclones lost another one by coming out slow from the locker room in the second half, and not having enough offense to make up the difference.

Now 2-6 in the Big 12, the Cyclones have a long way to go to make this season palpable, and all hopes of postseason play that weren’t already floating away may have been crushed by mathematical probability.

The question moves onto the players themselves for the remainder of 2010 and beyond.

Does Greg McDermott rearrange his lineup to try something new? Does Craig Brackins consider coming back for another year in Ames because of his slumping NBA Draft Stock? Does the entire current roster stick around until next year, with the exception of Marquis Gilstrap.

These questions will eventually answer themselves, but Cyclone fans must simply find solace in the fact that they almost got the W. Again. Almost.

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Iowa State 61 - Kansas State 72   1:55 2nd Half

Air is deflated, seats are slowly emptying. The leg crossing emotion and awkward silence at halftime proved true, as the Cyclones are watching another one slip through their fingers.

Denis Clemente hasn’t gotten much pub on the blog yet, but the guard has 28 points.

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Iowa State 56 - Kansas State 65     4:50 2nd Half

Wildcats are showing they’re clutch. Iowa State can’t say the same.

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Iowa State 56 - Kansas State 60  5:48 2nd Half

Definitely no snoozing in Hilton today, back and forth scoring. Iowa State can’t get consistent buckets, but they’re getting good runs, and Kansas State is scrapping for every ball.

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Iowa State 54 - Kansas State 60    6:42 2nd Half

I’ve figured out a great theme here. When Craig Brackins gets the ball in the post, Iowa State gets a good shot. Shocking.

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Iowa State 51 - Kansas State 60   7:46 2nd Half

Popular opinion probably would have rejected this idea pregame, but Greg McDermott is the coach doing the jumping and yelling. Kansas State’s Frank Martin has kept cool and composed, his hair as immovable as Stonehenge.

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Iowa State 49 - Kansas State 58  8:42 2nd Half

Cyclones need a rally, and quickly.

1/11 from 3 point range has to change. No shot at coming back without it.

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Iowa State 46 - Kansas State 55  11:04 2nd Half

Unintentional comedic moment of the day:

Two folks winning an autograph basketball up on the video board trying to smile, fans booing emphatically at a blown goaltending call, and Greg McDermott simultaneously yelling at the refs.

They just wanted their signed basketball.

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Iowa State 42 - Kansas State 53   12:48 2nd Half

5 turnovers by Iowa State in six minutes. KSU shooting 6/7 to start half. 19-5 since 2nd Half started.

Hilton is as flat as Columbus’ globe.

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Iowa State 39 - Kansas State 48  15:06 2nd Half

Two breakaway dunks as the Wildcats are exhibiting their force.

“Well, here we go. Might as well just bend over and take it.” -Cyclone Alley member.

Tough to find momentum when everyone in the arena is expecting a collapse.

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Iowa State 39 - Kansas State 43   16:00  2nd Half

Wildcat defensive pressure picking up, Iowa State needs a big play to get the crowd back to dictating the tempo.

Observations: Pullen changed his shoes at half.

Clemente is getting hot.

Craig Brackins is getting tired.

Not good things for ISU. Mostly because Pullen changed his shoes.

8-0 run by the Wildcats.

Uh-oh.

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Iowa State 39 - Kansas State 35   18:26 2nd Half

Cyclones are holding the Wildcats to some tough shots, but now Gilstrap and Hamitlon join the walking wounded with three fouls a piece. The bench isn’t deep enough for this to happen this early.

Feels like Wrigley, with the fans expecting a collapse.

For Iowa State fans, they greet the elephants in the room.

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Iowa State 35 - No. 10 Kansas State 31  Halftime

Halftime Stats

FG%: ISU- 14/37 ; KSU- 11/36

Rebounds: ISU- 26 ; KSU- 24

Turnovers: ISU- 4 ; KSU- 3

–Key Players–

Iowa State: Craig Brackins- 7/15 FG, 14 points, 6 rebounds

Kansas State: Denis Clemente- 4/11 FG, 13 points, 3 assists

Get excited for the 2nd Half. If Iowa State can somehow hold the No. 10 team in the land under 35% shooting again, this thing could come down to the wire. Haven’t been this excited since the dance team got new uniforms.

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Iowa State 35 - Kansas State 31   Halftime

Very entertaining first half of basketball, no idea what to expect the rest of the way.

If Kansas State finds a shooting stroke, they could open up a lead. But Craig Brackins is showing some moxie, and looks like he wants to will Greg McDermott’s club to his first Top-25 win since getting to ISU.

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Iowa State 35 - Kansas State 29  22.4 Seconds 1st Half

Ron Burgundy will read anything on the teleprompter.

For chrissakes, who put a question mark on the script!

“Hilton Magic?”

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Iowa State 32 - Kansas State 27  1:00 1st Half

For some reason, this doesn’t feel like a Texas “almost” fluke game. Iowa State is taking on Kansas State stat for stat.

Brackins went down with a tough roll on a dead ball, pumped up the crowd, and now Hilton is popping with energy.

You’d have thought Lazarus just made an appearance. He was only out for 45 seconds of game time, but if he can lead this team to win, the door will be busting off the cave.

Hustle plays by the Cyclones, they gotta stay healthy though.

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Iowa State 25 - Kansas State 25  3:52  1st Half

Kansas State is barely shooting 30% in this first half, and that will undoubtedly go up. But for right now, 2 points a piece from Gilstrap, Garrett, Dendy, Colvin, and Christopherson will have to aid CB.

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Iowa State 19 - Kansas State 21  5:50 1st Half

Ham is making some good hustle plays, but if this thing stays Craig Brackins against Kansas State, the Wildcats will pull away eventually.

CB has 14 of State’s 19, APB for his teammates.

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Iowa State 19 - Kansas State 21  6:57 1st Half

You can take down those “Missing” posters that have been fading in the last week.

Craig Brackins is definitely here.

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Iowa State 14 - Kansas State 15   11:50 1st Half

We’ve got ourselves a basketball game.

Both teams struggling from the field (ISU 37%, KSU 33%), but hustle plays on each end have gotta make the coaches happy. CB could still use some help.  

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Iowa State 10 - Kansas State 13  14:44 1st Half

CB already has 8 of the Cyclones’ 10, but they’re going to need to find some other forms of offense if they want to keep this pace.

Little bit quick for Mac’s squad, they won’t be able to go step for step with the Wildcats.

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Iowa State 6 - Kansas State 8  16:11  1st Half

Not necessarily a trend quite yet, but Frank Martin seems content with single teaming Craig Brackins. CB is looking to make the Wildcats pay.

Wildcats are stroking from the field, taking easy shots on open jumpers.

Both teams may want to re-assess their defenses.  

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Iowa State  - Kansas State   20:00 1st Half

Plenty of energy in Hilton today, very unlike the Colorado game last weekend.

Mac is doing a last second interview with ESPN nameless reporter.

As expected, it’s very bright. Pulling out my Rainbow Brite shades from last week.

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Iowa State coming down through the north end of Cyclone Alley among the crowd among the mass of pink, pretty cool scene as the squad emerges.

A few last pregame observations…

1. These colors are going to drive me nuts. Iowa State is in white uniforms with pink outlines, and Kansas State is wearing their road blacks with purple outline. Gah.

2. The Wildcats are really big.

3. Pullen and Clemente are rocking the new Kobe V’s, mid-level shoe that looks pretty slick.

4. Highly touted signee Melvin Ejim is seated in the first row behind us, looks to be a legit 6′7″.

5. The Wildcats are really athletic.

6. Mac’s got on the pink shoes like the players. Very good look.

7. Frank Martin is really scary.

Cyclones are going to need to come out hot to keep the crowd in this thing, it could be an interesting Saturday afternoon.

Tipoff momentarily after shaggy lonely child exits locker room in the introduction video.

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Iowa State Starters:

Diante Garrett, Scott Christopherson, Marquis Gilstrap, Craig Brackins, Justin Hamilton

ISU Player to Watch - Scott Christopherson, 6-3 So., 7.1 ppg, 50% 3pt FG

Christopherson has been the most consistent outside shooter for the Cyclones since Lucca Staiger’s departure, but the six points a game he’s scoring in conference play isn’t going to get it done. He will need to combine his best defensive effort against Pullen and Clemente with his best offensive effort, taking pressure off Brackins if the Cyclones are going to have a shot.  

Kansas State Starters:

Denis Clemente, Jacob Pullen, Dominique Sutton, Curtis Kelly, Luis Colon

KSU Player to Watch - Jamar Samuels, 6-7 So., 12 ppg, 5.1 rpg

Samuels is coach Frank Martin’s super sub, coming from the pine to 12 points per contest. Iowa State’s weakness has been a lack of scoring and depth, and if Samuels can exploit a tired Marquis Gilstrap and get to the basket, it could be a long day for the Cyclones as the Wildcats pull up a firm chair at the free throw line.

5 Minutes to Tip!

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Iowa State vs. No. 10 Kansas State   15 minutes to tip

Cyclone Alley is decked out in pink shirts, pink is scattered among the crowd, the rosy hue is on Cyclone footwear and warmups, and even the student managers are wearing Nike pink polo shirts.

Hilton’s red interior makes this thing look like a kindergarten Valentine’s Day party, but fortunately Kansas State’s purple makes these two teams look like the Powder Puff Girls in shootaround.

Starting Lineups and Keys to the Game to Come!

ESPN2 is here for the match-up between the tenth ranked Wildcats and the Big 12’s tenth place team in Iowa State.