Mar 8, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Curtis Jones (5) dribbles around Kansas State Wildcats guard David Castillo (10) during the second half at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
It’s finally March.
The best weeks of the college basketball season are ahead of us and we’ve got plenty to talk about. So let’s muse.
Iowa State won comfortably at Bramlage Coliseum
And that was exactly what it needed to do.
The Cyclones took bad losses to Kansas State and Oklahoma State this season, and if you’re a great team – you’re damn well going to avenge it the next time you play.
Curtis Jones seemed to get back in his groove, Nate Heise had the best technical foul of the season, and the Cyclones cruised.
If you’re a Cyclone fan looking for a rooting interest in the Cincinnati-Okie State game, I’d much rather face an OSU team that beat you a few weeks back.
It’s looking like a 3 seed
Iowa State will most likely be a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Take the shot of a 2 seed like gravy and avoid a loss in the first Big 12 Tournament game to take out the possibility of falling to a No. 4 seed.
That’s the situation for the Cyclones.
I’ll dive more into matchups and what not after Selection Sunday, but I don’t anticipate much movement with or without a Big 12 championship. That said, that’s why they play the games.
The women fell in the Big 12 quarterfinals
Bill Fennelly’s squad fell in the Big 12 quarterfinals to a stout Baylor team in what really looked like an inspired effort despite the loss.
The Cyclones had Baylor on the ropes and found themselves on the opposite side of a rough call that put them behind the 8-ball down the stretch.
Nonetheless, I think Iowa State is playing it’s best basketball right now.
Addy Brown broke out for 41 points Thursday. Crooks was on her game the next day — and breaking records along the way.
And more importantly, it’s evident that the Cyclones are clicking right now.
Anything is possible for this group as far as it pertains to the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, and to reiterate, I’d still be shocked to see them excluded from the field – ESPN’s Charlie Creme has moved them down in recent days to a “Last 4 in” team.
Paniro Johnson earns his second Big 12 title
Iowa State Wrestling has been hampered with injuries all year, and even had a wrestler bow out of the rest of the tournament after being injured in a match over the weekend.
But Paniro Johnson gave the Cyclones a bright spot, bringing home his second Big 12 championship.
Jacqueline has a great story on it, as she was in Tulsa all weekend, here.
The Quick Hits
It’s conference tournament week for a majority of the country, and some will tell you this week is more exciting than the ensuing opening four days of March Madness. It’s not, they’re just really excited.
That’s not to say the week won’t kick ass. I’m glued to SB Nation’s Blogging the Bracket for game times and matchups all week.
But we’ve already had fireworks surrounding these games.
One of my favorite March follows is the infamous NMTC – the ‘Never Made the Tourney Club (@NMTC_Hoops) – which tracks programs that have never qualified for the NCAA Tournament, and other miscellaneous things from the sport.
The first three automatic bids handed out each went to teams qualifying for their first ever big dance – High Point, SIUE and Omaha.
Three bids handed out thus far. All three have been given to first-time NCAA Tournament participants. What a year for the Never Made the Tournament Club (@NMTC_Hoops)!
— morrisoncrying (@morrisoncrying) March 9, 2025
Speaking of Omaha, the team that destroys a trash can in the locker room after every win, I so badly hope it can win its first round game. Good hockey program over there, too.
Drake capped off the Missouri Valley Tournament with its third-straight NCAA Tournament berth, while finishing the season with a 30-3 record in what was the most impressive year for a team out of Des Moines of all time.
I can’t wait to see what Bennett Stirtz, Isaia Howard and the boys do in 11 days.
Steph Curry is reportedly becoming an assistant GM for his alma mater Davidson. I love this move – I think the life of a mid-major gets harder every year and no one is lining up on the front lines to fix it.
I first fell in love with mid-majors watching him lead that Davidson team in March and I hope this becomes a regular happening around the country.
Anyways, keep tweets like this coming. We’re in the good times right now.
