Iowa State basketball didn’t just show up during Feast Week - the Cyclones made a statement. Three games, three convincing wins, and now a top-10 ranking to show for it. This team is rolling, and it’s not by accident.
Let’s start with what went down on the court. Iowa State ran through a ranked St.
John’s squad, dismantled Creighton by 18, and then absolutely buried Syracuse by 31. That’s not just winning - that’s domination.
The Cyclones walked out of the Player’s Era Tournament with a 3-0 record and an unblemished 7-0 start to the season. And the AP voters took notice, bumping them up five spots to No. 10 in the latest Top 25 poll.
But the rankings only tell part of the story. Dig into the advanced numbers, and the Cyclones’ case gets even stronger.
As of Sunday, they’re sitting inside the top five of the KenPom rankings, backed by a top-15 offense and a defense that’s turning opponents over at the second-highest rate in the country. That’s the kind of two-way efficiency that wins games in March - and maybe even April.
Leading the charge is forward Joshua Jefferson, who’s been playing like he wants his name in the All-American conversation. He’s averaging around 17.5 points per game, nearly eight boards, and five assists - a stat line that screams versatility and impact.
He’s not alone, either. Milan Momcilovic is pouring in about 17 points per game himself and hitting nearly 49% from deep.
When your second option is shooting the lights out like that, defenses have to pick their poison.
Now, the Cyclones head back to Hilton Coliseum for a midweek matchup with Alcorn State - a chance to stay sharp before Saturday’s heavyweight clash with Purdue at Mackey Arena. That’s the one circled on the calendar. It’ll be Iowa State’s second game this year against a ranked opponent, and it’s a true measuring-stick moment against a team sitting at the top of the AP poll.
Make no mistake, this isn’t just a hot start. Iowa State was already expected to be a Big 12 contender - they were a preseason top-20 team and projected near the top of the conference.
But what we’ve seen so far suggests they might be something more. A Final Four threat?
It’s early, sure. But the pieces are there.
T.J. Otzelberger has this group playing connected, confident basketball.
And if they can get senior point guard Tamin Lipsey back to full strength - he’s been dealing with a groin injury - the ceiling gets even higher. Lipsey’s a key cog, an All-Big 12 caliber floor general who brings poise and playmaking to the backcourt.
His health could be the difference between a strong season and a special one.
One more thing to note: Iowa State has now been ranked for 36 straight weeks, dating back to the 2023-24 season. That’s the second-longest active streak in the Big 12, trailing only Houston. Sustained success like that doesn’t happen by accident - it’s a sign of a program that’s building something real.
Saturday’s showdown with Purdue will tell us a lot. But one thing’s already clear: Iowa State isn’t sneaking up on anyone anymore. They’re here, they’re dangerous, and they might just be getting started.