Iowa State showed its resilience in a tough game that felt like a wrestling match, making key plays down the stretch to take a three-point lead with just 20 seconds remaining. However, they ended up with an overtime loss when Arizona’s Caleb Love hit a long shot from beyond half court to force overtime.
Coach T.J. Otzelberger commented on the unlikely shot, saying, “I don’t know what the odds are of that shot going in, but probably not real high,” after the Cyclones’ 86-75 loss.
It has taken a monumental effort for anyone to defeat Iowa State this season. Before the loss to Arizona, the Cyclones (17-3, 7-2 Big 12) matched their best start in program history, a feat achieved by the 1994-95 team. Iowa State had reached its highest-ever ranking at No. 2 earlier this season and only dropped one place after losing to West Virginia on January 18.
The Cyclones are ranked No. 7 in the NET rankings and No. 5 in KenPom metrics. Their impressive resume includes wins over No. 9 Marquette, then-No. 25 Baylor, No. 22 Texas Tech, and No. 11 Kansas. Iowa State’s only losses were by two points to top-ranked Auburn at the Maui Invitational, at West Virginia without Milan Momcilovic (hand injury), and after Love’s game-tying shot.
Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd praised the team, saying, “A really good team, nothing but respect.” The Cyclones have a deep roster with talent at every position. They’ve made the NCAA Tournament in each of Otzelberger’s first three seasons, advancing to the Sweet 16 last year.
This year, they returned three starters and added two key transfers: 6-foot-9 forward Joshua Jefferson from Saint Mary’s and 6-11, 274-pound center Dishon Jackson from Charlotte.
Jefferson provides versatility, averaging 12.9 points and 8.1 rebounds, while Jackson adds muscle, scoring, rebounding, and protecting the rim. Momcilovic, who shoots 44% from beyond the arc, has recently had his cast removed after his hand injury.
The guard trio of Curtis Jones, Tamin Lipsey, and Keshon Gilbert have been standout players. Gilbert is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 15.5 points per game, with 4.6 assists and 3.7 rebounds. Lipsey averages 10.4 points, 2.9 assists, and leads the team with 45 steals.
Jones has been dynamic, averaging a team-high 18.1 points per game. The 6-4 senior is versatile, scoring from the perimeter, in the lane, and finishing at the rim. He is also known for his strong defense, often locking down opponents’ top perimeter scorers. Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley commented after Jones scored 33 points in a 76-61 win, saying, “He was playing a different game than everyone else was today.”
Iowa State’s success is built on a complete team effort. The Cyclones have five players averaging double-digit points and are ranked No. 13 in KenPom’s offensive efficiency. They average 84.2 points per game, tying for 11th nationally.
Defensively, Iowa State holds teams to 67 points per game and ranks 10th in the nation with 9.9 steals per game. They are sixth in KenPom’s defensive efficiency rankings.
The Cyclones are known for their ability to finish strong. They came back from a 13-point deficit to beat rival Iowa 89-80, did the same to defeat Texas Tech in overtime, and closed out a win against Arizona State with a 19-3 run.
Coach Otzelberger explained, “We focus on our identity and doing what we do. That’s part of our DNA.”
Iowa State’s well-rounded play has left opponents struggling to find ways to defeat them, with little success.
