Cyclones' Sweet 16 Run Ends, Offseason Looms

0:00On March 2-8, Iowa states run in the big dance, ended Friday night with a 76-6-2 loss to Tennessee in the Sweet 16 as Chicago's United Center. It's the third time in five seasons under coach TJ Ozzelberger that the cyclones bowed out here, and the second straight year it happened in this. Same spot. They wrap up with 29 wins, a solid mark, but a tough finish since they went in as favorites. The game stayed close early, with Iowa State holding the lead for under 10 minutes total, but Tennessee flipped the script in the second half, building a double-digit edge that never slipped. Four balls hit double figures. Jocobie Gillespie with 16, Nate Aument 18, Jalen Carey 11, and Felix Okpera, 12 with Carey and Okpera grabbing. Double doubles to seal it. Roll players like Nate Heisenkillian Tour kept Iowa State afloat at the start, sparking key buckets in a brief lead at 30-32. Fans lit up for those hustle plays, but the cyclones' offense went cold from there, especially from the free-throw line with a shot under 65.

1:05Percent all night after ranking near the bottom nationally. Tennessee's shooters stayed hot, draining early threes, endominating the boards with nearly two-thirds of their misses coming back their way. Iowa State forced no turnovers or steals in the second half's opening stretch, letting the balls settle into half-court sets where their D-shines, brightest. Now the offseason kicks in hard for the cyclones, losing stars, Tam and Lipsi, and Joshua Jefferson to graduation, maybe Milan-Momslovic to the draft. They'll hit the transfer portal for guards and forwards, plus hunt internationally, all while replacing assistant coach J.R. Blount, who's headed to. San Diego as a headman.