Cyclones fall again in college basketball polls

The Iowa State men’s basketball team dropped in both major college basketball polls for the third week in a row on Monday. The Cyclones fell four spots to No. 17 in the Associated Press Top 25 and four spots in the USA Today Coaches Poll to No. 18.

The Kansas Jayhawks are still the nation’s consensus No. 1 team, while the Oklahoma Sooners are right behind them in both polls at No. 2. West Virginia kept the Big 12’s number of top 15 teams at three as they are No. 11 in the AP and No. 10 in the Coaches.

Baylor was the last Big 12 team in both polls at No. 22, although, Texas Tech did receive votes in both. 

Iowa moved ahead of Iowa State in the AP poll for the first time this season at No. 16 (they’re No. 19 in the Coaches), while future Iowa State opponent Texas A&M continued their rise up the polls to No. 15 in the AP (No. 14 in the Coaches).

Cincinnati received votes in the Coaches. 

Xavier continues to hold the top spot in the RPI rankings entering the week, while Kansas is at No. 3 and Oklahoma is No. 4.

Texas Tech (No. 14), Iowa State (No. 19), West Virginia (No. 26), Texas (No. 35) and Baylor (No. 38) give the Big 12 seven teams in the RPI top 50.

Texas A&M (No. 12), Iowa (No. 16) and Colorado (No. 36) put Iowa State’s number of top 50 teams on their schedule at nine.

Iowa State will be back in action Tuesday night when they travel to Austin, Texas to take on the Texas Longhorns on ESPN2.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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