Iowa State Cyclones' Tough Tournament Path

0:00On March 10, Iowa State Cyclones wrapped up their regular season with a strong win, beating Arizona State 86-65 for their 25th victory. Now they head to the 2026, Phillip 66, Big 12 men's basketball tournament in Kansas City, Missouri as the number 5 seed. That gives them a buy into the second round, but they just missed the double buy to the quarterfinals. The team has built its reputation on elite defense under coach TJ Ozzelberger since he took over in 2021. Early this season, their offense clicked well, but lately it's fizzled, with efficiency dropping and key players like Joshua Jefferson and freshman. Killian Turey struggling against defenses that dare them to shoot. At home in Hilton, Coliseum, the cyclones were nearly unbeatable, dropping just one game to Texas Tech. But on the road, things got tough. Five of their six losses came away from Ames, despite a big early win over then number one Purdue. Their bracket path adds more hurdles, placing them against familiar tough foes, Texas Tech

1:04and Arizona, teams that handed them some of their worst. Losses this year, rematches in a neutral site like Kansas City won't get easier. Expect a gritty run from Iowa State, but this side of the draw and recent trends make a tournament title a long shot, as they tip off postseason play.