Iowa State listed as 10-seed in West in Lunardi’s first 2018 bracketology

Mar 16, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Donovan Jackson (4) celebrates during the second half of the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

Most people are expecting a slight drop-off for Iowa State basketball in 2017-18, but that isn’t keeping the program from getting national respect. ESPN‘s Joe Lunardi has listed the Cyclones as the No. 10 seed in the West Region in his first bracketology for next season.

In Lunardi’s bracket, Iowa State would take on No. 7 seed Virginia Tech in Nashville. The other game in the pod would pit No. 2 seed Kentucky up against No. 15 seed South Dakota.

The Big 12 has seven teams in the field with the other six being Oklahoma (No. 9 seed in West), Baylor (No. 6 seed in East), Kansas (No. 1 seed in Midwest), Texas Tech (No. 11 seed in Midwest), TCU (No. 8 seed in South) and West Virginia (No. 2 seed in South). Arizona, Florida and Louisville are the other No. 1 seeds.

Oklahoma State is listed in the first four out and Texas is in the next four out. Obviously, there’s a long time before Selection Sunday 2018, but the Cyclones being included in the bracket proves the respect the program is gaining around the country.

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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