Iowa State Forces 20 Turnovers, Crushes Kentucky

0:00On March 23rd, Iowa State crushed Kentucky 82-63 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cyclones aggressive defense forced 20 turnovers from the Wildcats, their most this season, and since 1993 in Tournament play. Those mistakes led to 25 points for Iowa State, sealing a 19-point win. This season, Iowa State has pushed opponents into at least 10 turnovers in 30 games, ranking fourth nationally in turnover percentage. They did it against Mississippi State with 26 and airs on a state twice with 22 each. Kentucky's highest opponent total was just 17. Kentucky coach Mark Pope called it exactly what Iowa State does, speeding up teams and creating chaos. Every Wildcat who played had at least one turnover, with guards like Otega Oway and Denzel Aberdeen each coughing it up four times. Without a true point guard, the pressure proved too much. Kentucky jumped to a double-digit lead early, but Iowa State adjusted in the final 30 minutes, even without key defender Joshua Jefferson.

1:02The Wildcats ball movement stalled, and their offense went stagnant. Kentucky's roller coaster season ends here, heading into year 3 under Pope, with big questions about the roster and next steps.