As the Big 12 Conference men's basketball season reaches its crescendo, the excitement is palpable. For fans, it's a thrilling spectacle, but for coaches, it's akin to navigating a minefield of high-stakes games that could rival the NCAA Tournament itself.
With just a week left before the action shifts to Kansas City, the race for the top seed is heating up. Arizona leads the pack at 13-2, but Iowa State, Kansas, Houston, and Texas Tech are nipping at their heels, each sitting at 11-4.
All five teams are ranked in the NCAA's NET top 15, a crucial metric for tournament seeding. Adding to the intrigue are potential NBA lottery picks like Kansas' Darryn Peterson, Houston's Kingston Flemings, and Arizona's Brayden Burries, who are making waves in this fiercely competitive conference.
Iowa State, fresh off a victory at Utah, is right in the thick of things. With a crucial game against No.
16 Texas Tech at home, the Cyclones are poised for a potential showdown in Arizona. A win over the Red Raiders could set the stage for a pivotal clash in Tucson.
The stakes are high. If Iowa State can topple Texas Tech, and Houston and Kansas also secure victories, the Cyclones could find themselves just a game behind Arizona with two games remaining. This scenario would keep the race wide open and the excitement levels through the roof.
On the court, Iowa State's Milan Momcilovic has been a standout, recently becoming the school's all-time leader in 3-point baskets. However, for the Cyclones to truly make their mark, they'll need more firepower from beyond the arc.
Tamin Lipsey and Jamarion Batemon have shown flashes of potential, but consistency will be key. Lipsey's shooting has dipped to 24% over the last three games, while Batemon has maintained a respectable 31%.
If they can heat up, it would force opponents to spread their defenses and open up more opportunities for Momcilovic.
Defense remains Iowa State's backbone under Coach TJ Otzelberger, but an additional long-range threat could be the X-factor during this critical stretch. As the Big 12's most significant week unfolds, the Cyclones are ready to make their move.