Cyclones Flip the Script: Resurgent Weeks for Iowa State Basketball and a New Era in Football
A week ago, the mood around Iowa State athletics was bordering on panic. The women’s team had dropped five straight, and the men were reeling from back-to-back losses. Fans were frustrated, social media was buzzing with hot takes, and the outlook felt grim.
Fast forward seven days, and it’s a completely different story.
Both Cyclones squads responded in emphatic fashion, reminding us all that in college sports, momentum can shift in a heartbeat. The women’s team bounced back with two dominant wins-90-65 over Arizona and 93-68 against Cincinnati-while the men rolled through Oklahoma State and Central Florida with convincing victories of their own. Just like that, the Cyclones are back in the mix, and those early January blues feel like a distant memory.
Women’s Team: One Key Return, One Massive Turnaround
Let’s start with the women.
The return of junior guard Arianna Jackson was the spark this team desperately needed. After missing three games during the losing skid, Jackson stepped back onto the court and immediately brought energy, leadership, and stability. Her presence didn’t just fill a hole-it elevated everyone around her.
And then there’s Jada Williams. The freshman phenom had been rock-solid all season, but even the best go through slumps.
During the losing streak, she hit a rough patch. But this past week?
She came roaring back. Williams dropped 19 points and dished out seven assists against Arizona, then followed that up with a jaw-dropping 44-point, eight-assist performance.
That’s not just a bounce-back-that’s a statement.
Even with Addy Brown sidelined, the Cyclones looked like a completely different team. The ball movement was sharper, the defense more connected, and the offensive confidence was back.
At 16-5 overall and 4-5 in Big 12 play, Iowa State has reinserted itself into the NCAA Tournament conversation. A week ago, this team looked like it was on life support.
Now? They’re out here dominating league opponents.
Men’s Team: From Overreaction to Overdrive
As for the men’s team, the recent two-game skid was never about a lack of talent-it was about execution. And this past week, they cleaned up just about everything that had gone wrong.
The Cyclones took down Oklahoma State 84-71 and then dismantled Central Florida 87-57. The slow starts that had plagued them?
Gone. Ball movement?
Crisp. Turnovers?
Controlled. This team looked like the version that had fans dreaming big in December.
Milan Momcilovic has been the headline-grabber, and for good reason. After dropping 29 points on Oklahoma State, the online buzz kicked into overdrive.
Some fans are even floating the idea that he might be the best shooter in NCAA history. That’s a bold claim, sure-but when you’re averaging 18.2 points per game and shooting 54% from three, you’re going to get people talking.
It’s not just the shooting. Momcilovic’s confidence, footwork, and ability to create space are elite. And with guys like Tamin Lipsey and Joshua Jefferson sharing the offensive load, he’s not even being asked to carry the full scoring burden.
Speaking of Jefferson-he quietly put together one of the most complete performances of the season: 17 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds, and zero turnovers. That’s his second triple-double of the year, and it came at exactly the right time.
At 18-2, the Cyclones are right back in the thick of things. The next four games-home against Colorado and Baylor, road trips to Kansas State and TCU-are all winnable.
Go 4-0 in that stretch, and Iowa State would be sitting at 9-2 in conference play, firmly in the Big 12 title race. Of course, nothing’s guaranteed in this league, but the opportunity is there.
A Quick Word on Perspective
It’s easy to get caught up in the rollercoaster of a college basketball season. One week, the sky is falling.
The next, it’s all sunshine and Final Four talk. But the truth is usually somewhere in between.
Aaron Rodgers caught plenty of heat for a lot of things over the years, but when he told people to “R-E-L-A-X,” he wasn’t wrong. You don’t win championships in January. And a couple of mid-season losses don’t define a season-especially not when you’re sitting at 16-2 or 16-5 and trending up.
Football: The Jimmy Rogers Era Begins in the Trenches
While basketball has been front and center, Iowa State football has quietly been laying the foundation for the next chapter under new head coach Jimmy Rogers.
The transfer portal has been a whirlwind, but Rogers and his staff have made one thing clear: this rebuild starts up front. Offensive line depth was a major focus, and by all accounts, they’ve delivered. Rogers himself said he was surprised by how quickly they were able to assemble the group, noting the mix of experienced talent and high-upside youth-including a couple of FCS All-Americans.
That kind of trench-building doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s a sign of a staff with a clear identity and a plan for how they want to compete in the Big 12. Rogers has been candid in interviews, giving fans a glimpse into the vision for 2026 and beyond.
If you haven’t caught some of those one-on-one interviews yet, now’s the time. The message is consistent: expect a tough, physical, no-nonsense football team. And with the roster now starting to take shape, the countdown to spring ball just got a little more interesting.
Bottom Line: Iowa State fans have every reason to feel optimistic. The women’s team is surging back into form, the men are playing some of their best basketball of the season, and the football program is laying serious groundwork for the future. It’s been a good week in Ames-and it might just be the start of something bigger.