No. 9 Iowa State is back in the win column - and looking to stay there - as the Cyclones head into a Saturday afternoon Big 12 clash against Oklahoma State in Stillwater.
After starting the season with a blistering 16-0 run, the Cyclones (17-2, 4-2 Big 12) hit a bump in the road with consecutive losses at Kansas and Cincinnati. But any doubts about their form were quickly erased with a dominant 87-57 bounce-back win over UCF on Tuesday night.
That performance wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. Iowa State reminded everyone why they’re one of the top teams in the country, flexing their muscle on both ends of the floor.
Defense has been the heartbeat of this Cyclones squad, and head coach T.J. Otzelberger made it clear that Tuesday’s performance was a return to form.
After giving up an average of 81.5 points in their two losses, Iowa State clamped down and held UCF to just 57. That’s the kind of defensive edge Otzelberger has been preaching all season.
One of the key catalysts in that turnaround? Joshua Jefferson.
“Defensively, he had an edge to how he played,” Otzelberger said. “He was really helping pressure and getting turnovers.”
Jefferson’s impact wasn’t just about effort - it translated into tangible results. He was disruptive defensively, got out in transition, and made the most of his chances.
A dunk in the open floor here, a confident finish there - those are the kind of plays that fuel momentum, both for him and the team. But what really stood out was his all-around game.
Jefferson didn’t just score and defend - he facilitated. He dished out 12 assists without a single turnover, a stat line that speaks volumes about his decision-making and leadership. Add in his rebounding and scoring, and you’ve got a complete performance that sets the tone for what Iowa State hopes will be a consistent stretch of high-level basketball.
“He took a leadership position,” Otzelberger added. “We’re going to move the ball, we’re going to share the ball, we’re going to keep it on the move. I’m just proud of his ability mentally to lock in on the things that are important for us to be successful.”
Offensively, the Cyclones have been led all year by Milan Momcilovic, who’s averaging 18.2 points per game while shooting a scorching 54.4 percent from the field - and an even more impressive 54 percent from three. Jefferson isn’t far behind at 17.3 points and leads the team in rebounding with 7.9 boards per game. Add in Tamin Lipsey’s 13.2 points per contest, and Iowa State has a trio that can hurt opponents in multiple ways.
On the other side, Oklahoma State (14-5, 2-4) is looking to right the ship. The Cowboys have dropped four of their last six, including a narrow 68-65 loss at TCU on Tuesday night. They’ve already faced Iowa State once this season - an 83-71 road loss back on Jan. 10 - and they’ll be aiming to flip the script this time around on their home floor.
The Cowboys are led by Anthony Roy, who’s putting up 17.6 points per game. He’s got help, too - Parsa Fallah (14.4 ppg), Vyctorius Miller (13.9), and Jaylen Curry (10.5) are all scoring in double figures, giving Oklahoma State a balanced offensive attack.
But head coach Steve Lutz knows the margin for error in the Big 12 is razor-thin.
“The league is so darn good, there’s going to be carnage along the way,” Lutz said. “I think last year we started off 2-7 in the league, and it was really hard to recover from that. It’s very important that we don’t repeat that performance.”
For Iowa State, Saturday’s matchup is about continuing to build momentum and proving they can win on the road - something that tripped them up recently. For Oklahoma State, it’s about protecting home court and staying afloat in the brutal grind of Big 12 play.
Two teams with something to prove, one high-stakes matchup in Stillwater. Buckle up.