Iowa State Cyclones: Top Contenders Despite Recent Slump

0:00On March 3rd, the Iowa State Cyclone's men's basketball team sit at 24 wins and 6 losses, but they've hit its nag with back-to-back losses. First, they fell at home to Texas Tech, then got outplayed on the road by Arizona. Their offense has cooled off lately, sparking some worries among fans and analysts. Even with those stumbles, ESPN experts, Myron Medcalf, and Jeff Borzello still rank Iowa State among the top 8 national title contenders. T.J. Altsilberger has built one of the nation's best defenses all season, giving them a solid foundation. A big reason for optimism is the star trio of Tamin Lipsi, Joshua Jefferson, and Milan Momsolovic. They provide matchup problems for any opponent and have carried the team through tough stretches. Lipsi anchors things as the top point of attack defender in college hoops, with steady scoring from the guard spot. Jefferson delivers unique stats on both ends, though he needs to shake off recent shooting woes like his rough night against Arizona. Momsolovic is on pace for a historic 3-point season, hitting over 50% and already owning Iowa State's single season record.

1:07As long as this group stays healthy and clicks, Iowa State can hang with the best-come tournament time, turning recent hiccups into just a minor bump. On the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a deep run, on the road to a