Baylor coach Scott Drew felt a sense of familiarity as he scouted Iowa State.The Cyclones had depth, Drew easily could see. They had skill and toughness, too.”I think they’re similar to us — a lot of players in double figures, a lot of guys capable of scoring 20,” Drew said. “Really good teams have more than one weapon.”Both teams’ best players will be on display when No. 3 Iowa State hosts No. 25 Baylor in a Big 12 Conference showdown on Saturday afternoon in Ames, Iowa.Iowa State (11-1, 1-0 Big 12) is set to play its conference home opener after holding on for a 79-69 road win at Colorado in its last game. The Cyclones have won nine games by double digits, and their only hiccup is an 83-81 loss to then-No. 4 Auburn on Nov. 25.Six players are scoring in double digits for the Cyclones. Keshon Gilbert and Curtis Jones are tied for the team lead with 16.3 points per game, and Joshua Jefferson ranks third with 11.6 points and a team-high 8.3 rebounds per contest.Milan Momcilovic (11.1 points per game), Dishon Jackson (10.8) and Tamin Lipsey (10.1) round out the Cyclones’ half-dozen leading scorers.Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger at least is as passionate about his team’s defense as he is with its balanced scoring attack. For example, he praised Jefferson for a remarkable defensive effort in which he recorded eight steals in his last game.”Defensively, he’s extremely intelligent,” Otzelberger said. “He finishes a lot of possessions. At times, you’re watching it and you’re not quite sure, is he flying around as much? But he absolutely is reading plays, being instinctive, in the right spot. …”We just need him to continue climbing. I think, like for all of our guys, continue to get better, continue to keep taking positive steps.”Baylor (9-3, 1-0) is looking to build a similar trajectory. The Bears are riding a four-game winning streak, including an 81-56 thumping at home against Utah in both teams’ conference opener.
