Iowa State Slips to No. 9 After Back-to-Back Losses, But Otzelberger Stays Steady
AMES - Just a week ago, Iowa State was riding high, undefeated at 16-0 and sitting at No. 2 in the AP Top 25. But after a rough week that included an 84-63 road loss to Kansas and a 79-70 defeat at Cincinnati, the Cyclones have slid to No. 9 in the latest poll.
It’s the kind of week that tests a team’s mettle-and a coach’s resolve. T.J.
Otzelberger still believes in his group, and for good reason. While the back-to-back losses were a gut punch for a squad with Final Four aspirations, this is still a battle-tested team with a lot of basketball left to play.
What Happened
The loss to Kansas was a reality check. The Jayhawks came out firing and never let up, handing Iowa State its first loss of the season in emphatic fashion. Then came the trip to Cincinnati, where the Bearcats capitalized on momentum and home-court energy to hand the Cyclones their second straight loss.
Suddenly, that 16-0 start feels a bit distant. But it’s worth remembering: this is still a 16-2 team with a 3-2 Big 12 record. That’s not just respectable-it’s elite in a conference that’s as deep and competitive as any in the country.
What’s Next
The Cyclones return home Tuesday to face UCF at Hilton Coliseum, where they’ve been dominant all season. Then it’s back on the road Saturday for a rematch with Oklahoma State-a team Iowa State already handled earlier this month with an 83-71 win in Ames.
Those two games offer a chance to reset, regroup, and reassert themselves in the Big 12 race. Iowa State is currently two games behind top-ranked Arizona (18-0, 5-0), so the margin for error is slim. But there’s still time to climb.
Why It Still Matters
Despite the slide, Iowa State remains one of the most consistent programs in the country. The Cyclones have now been ranked in the AP Top 25 for 43 consecutive weeks-the second-longest active streak in the Big 12 behind Houston.
That kind of consistency doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a testament to Otzelberger’s system, the players’ buy-in, and the program’s steady rise.
It’s also the second-longest streak in Iowa State history, trailing only the 2014-17 run. That era produced some unforgettable basketball in Ames-and this current group has the talent to do the same.
The Big Picture
Yes, the last week was a stumble. But Iowa State still controls its own destiny.
The Cyclones have the defense, the depth, and the coaching to rebound-and fast. If anything, this stretch could serve as a wake-up call heading into the heart of Big 12 play.
The top of the AP Top 25 is stacked. Arizona, UConn, Michigan, Purdue, Duke-there’s no shortage of heavyweights.
But Iowa State is still very much in that conversation. One tough week doesn’t change that.
For now, the focus shifts to UCF and Oklahoma State. Two games.
Two chances to get back on track. And if this team has shown us anything, it’s that they’re built to respond.