AMES - Iowa State is heating up at just the right time - and the rest of the Big 12 is feeling the burn.
After dropping back-to-back road games to Kansas and Cincinnati in mid-January, the Cyclones have flipped the switch in a major way. Four straight wins later - all by double digits and three by 30+ - Iowa State has surged to No. 7 in the latest AP Top 25 poll. And frankly, it’s hard to argue they don’t belong even higher.
Let’s break down what’s fueling this rise.
A Dominant Stretch
In their last four outings, the Cyclones have looked every bit the part of a national contender. They’ve dismantled UCF (87-57), Oklahoma State (84-71), Colorado (97-67), and Kansas State (95-61). That’s not just winning - that’s imposing your will.
What’s been especially telling is how Iowa State has come out of the gates. In those four wins, they’ve outscored opponents 197-97 in the first half alone.
That’s a 100-point margin before halftime. On Sunday, they jumped all over Kansas State with a 32-point halftime cushion - a blowout so thorough it marked the second-worst loss ever at Bramlage Coliseum and the third-worst home defeat in Kansas State history.
This isn’t just a team hitting shots. This is a team playing connected, physical, and locked-in basketball on both ends of the floor. The Cyclones are dictating tempo, suffocating opponents defensively, and turning defense into offense with ruthless efficiency.
The Numbers Back It Up
Iowa State’s rise in the AP poll is just part of the story. The advanced metrics love them, too.
In KenPom’s rankings - which weigh offensive and defensive efficiency - the Cyclones sit at No. 4 nationally. That’s elite territory. The NCAA’s NET rankings also place Iowa State at No. 4, bolstered by a 5-1 record in Quad I games, the toughest tier of matchups in the selection committee’s eyes.
And here’s a stat that speaks volumes about the consistency under head coach T.J. Otzelberger: since the start of the 2023-24 season, Iowa State has now been ranked in the AP Top 10 on 32 different occasions. That’s not a hot streak - that’s a program establishing itself among the nation’s elite.
What’s Next
The Cyclones get a well-earned breather this week with a bye in Big 12 play. Their next test comes Saturday at Hilton Coliseum, where they’ll host Baylor (12-9, 2-7). While Baylor’s record isn’t sparkling, it’s still a conference matchup - and in the Big 12, nothing comes easy.
But if Iowa State keeps playing like this - overwhelming teams early, defending with intensity, and executing with confidence - they’re going to be a problem for anyone in March.
Right now, the Cyclones aren’t just climbing the rankings. They’re sending a message.