Iowa State Cyclones guard Tamin Lipsey (3) celebrates with forward Joshua Jefferson (5) and forward Milan Momcilovic (22) after a three-point play during the second half on Jan. 2, 2026, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. (Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
With the best start in program history at 16-0, it is no secret why this Iowa State men’s basketball team is having so much success. The answer lies in the box score of the 70-60 road win over Baylor.
Iowa State was nothing short of atrocious offensively in the first half, leading 25-24 at the break after the two teams combined to shoot 16-48 over the first 20 minutes. Milan Momcilovic was scoreless and 0-4 from the field at the half. With the offense sputtering and the frequently electric Momcilovic dormant, most star players would have come into the second half firing, either shooting their team into or out of a win.
Momcilovic knows how talented this Iowa State team is, though, not allowing his shaky day to alter the outcome. He attempted just two shots in the second half, making them both for a four-point night. The truth is, not only would most stars have thrown up 10-plus shots in the second half, most stars would have needed to in order to have a chance to win.
Tamin Lipsey’s 24 points, Joshua Jefferson’s 19 and Killyan Toure’s 12 were plenty to get the Cyclones to a double-digit win. How many teams can say their 55% three-point shooter does not need to make a three in order to win by double-digits in a road conference game.
Now, did Momcilovic sulk because he had an off night? No, he went back to the gym, got his shot right again and scored 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting in an 83-71 win over Oklahoma State.
It is not just Momcilovic, though, this is a mentality that has spread through the entire team, creating a winning culture as a whole.
You don’t need me to explain to you why this matchup with Kansas on the road Tuesday is an important one. For that, you can check out Randy Peterson’s wonderful column. Kansas has not looked any sort of special this season, but beating Kansas in their house will also never be an easy task.
It is beyond early to start looking at the Big 12 standings; however, a win at Kansas is the type of win necessary to be a Big 12 regular season champion.
It is known as a bad habit to look ahead at the schedule. Given that I am not a member of the team, I believe I should get a pass. After playing Kansas, Iowa State plays Cincinnati, UCF, Oklahoma State and Colorado to close out January. All four are capable teams, and all four are worse teams than Iowa State. Due to the pure consistency Iowa State plays with each and every game, this Cyclone squad has the tools to be not only a team that Iowa State fans remember, but college basketball fans around the country.
Women’s team needs to reevaluate
After a 14-0 start, Iowa State women’s basketball has since lost 72-70 at home against Baylor, 71-63 on the road against Cincinnati and 83-70 at home against West Virginia.
Excusing a fluke loss or a loss to a great team like Baylor is not too tough of a pill to swallow, but three straight losses to less talented teams is.
Cincinnati is now 6-10 and turned the ball over 25 times to Iowa State’s 12 in the loss. On the flip side, Iowa State turned the ball over 25 times to West Virginia’s 16. The turnover margin has both been well in Iowa State’s favor and well against them, and they lost both games.
People cite a one-dimensional offense as teammates look to Audi Crooks to score frequently, causing turnovers and double-teams inside. Is that part of the issue? Sure, but there is much more to it than that. Crooks shot 8-of-9 against West Virginia, with the rest of the team shooting just 13-of-37.
So yes, Iowa State does have some one-dimensional struggles, yet there is a lot of talent on the Iowa State roster. Obviously, star player Addy Brown missed the two most recent games. That cannot deter a team full of three-point shooters from shooting when they are open.
Whether it is a confidence issue or a schematic one, Iowa State needs to right the ship before it strays too far off course. With Brown soon to return, it will be interesting to see if Iowa State gets back to its winning ways.
Bonus Purdy
Bonus point of the week is Brock Purdy getting it done again. You know what they say, wouldn’t be the Super Bowl without Brock Purdy. He has his chance again, dethroning the Eagles with a late touchdown to return to the Divisional Round.
