Jake Brend explains why he thinks Iowa State can advance to the Elite 8, regardless of Joshua Jefferson's injury status.Presented by Fareway Meat & Grocery in the Northwest Bank Studios.
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Sharing this heartbreaking news about fellow Iowa State alum Jessi Pierce, who tragically passed away alongside her three children in a house fire in Minnesota.

Jessi was a proud Cyclone and well-known for her work covering the Minnesota Wild. She was an important part of the Iowa State community and is remembered by many for her passion and kindness.

A GoFundMe has been created to support her family during this incredibly difficult time. If you’re able, please consider donating or sharing:

Thinking of her family and loved ones

For those who want more details: https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/22/sport/jessi-pierce-death-minnesota-wild

utilized this in 2022

Yes I know I could spend an hour looking this up but is there a good option for mass transit to the United Center from the Western burbs? My definition of good option is parking at start point, minimal transfers and multiple time options including a late return.

I did some old fashioned stat analysis myself. (Anyone can correct me if off anywhere) Our win margin heading into the Sweet 16 is obnoxious. A total of +694 for the 29 wins. Now granted a lot of these were early season cupcakes. I isolated the 24 blowouts from what I consider 5 close wins and even in the close wins it's a +23 total difference. We all know the few "bad" loses with point differences, but those were to good teams. Even Cincinnati could be argued not a "bad" loss. The bottom line is when this team is on it suffocates other teams with defense and opponents just give up leading to ridiculous win margins. I'm curious how this would stack up against Arizona and Houston. My guess is they can say something similar. I'm doubtful though outside the conference other than Duke and Michigan could claim this.

Record 29-7
29 win point margins:
24 Blowouts (good teams in caps)
FDU 88-50 +38
Grambling State 102-62 +40
Mississippi State 96-80 +16
Stonehill 96-57 +39
Creighton 78-60 +18
Syracuse 95-64 +31
Alcorn State 132-68 +64
PURDUE 81-58 +23
Eastern Illinois 78-53 +25
Long Beach State 91-60 +31
Houston Christian 89-61 +28
West Virginia 80-59 +21
Oklahoma State 83-71 +22
UCF 87-57 +30
Oklahoma State 84-71 +23
Colorado 97-67 +30
Kansas State 95-61 +34
KANSAS 74-56 +18
Utah 75-59 +16
Arizona State 86-56 +30
Arizona State +49
TEXAS TECH 75-53 +22
Tennessee State 108-74 +34
KENTUCKY 82-63 +19
----
+671
(Blowout game average win margin +28)
5 Close Games (good teams in caps)
ST JOHNS 83-82 +1
IOWA 66-62 +4
Baylor 70-60 +10 (considering a 10 point win a close one)
Baylor 72-67 +5
HOUSTON 70-67 +3
----
+23
(Close game average win margin +4.6)
-----
+694 total win margin
+23.93 average margin of victory
7 Loses (good teams in caps)
KANSAS 63-84 -21
Cincinnati 70-79 -9
TCU 55-62 -7
BYU 69-79 -10
TEXAS TECH 73-82 -9
ARIZONA 57-73 -16
ARIZONA 80-82 -2
----
-74 total loss margin
-10.6 average loss margin
694 win margin - 74 loss margin = +620 total season margin

First time Sweet 16 attendee here. How do you buys tickets for this thing? Looking at Stubub and you have to buy a pass to both games. Is there anyway to buy just the ISU game? The prices are insane right now, will they drop?

I'm 65 years old and I'm just trying to figure out why I hate the Hawks so much. I'm even rooting for the Cornhuskers over them!
What are some of your reasons you hate the Hawks so much?

I always like looking at the psychological advantages/disadvantages heading into a game because I think they can be significant. Here's a few that immediately come to mind for our Sweet 16 matchup with Tennessee:

Game Location
Game is in Chicago, easily within driving distance. There's little doubt the crowd will be much more pro-Cyclones.

Start Time
While I hate having such a late tip time (9:10pm), it's going to feel even an hour later for the boys from Tennessee.

Scouting Report
Tennessee will have to prepare for essentially two different ISU teams, one that includes JJ and one that does not. Also, while Tennessee has 4 days to try to prepare for our defense, there's no way they can replicate it in practice.

Chris Williams reacts to Iowa State's huge win over Kentucky and where his head is at following a big first weekend for the Cyclones. Courtesy of Karl Auto Group.

How did Iowa State move onto the Sweet 16 despite a brutal offensive start? Defense and Tamin Lipsey.

Jake Brend reports as the Cyclones head to their third Sweet 16 in five years.
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Brent Blum and Jake Brend react to Iowa State’s dominant win over Kentucky in the Round of 32, reflecting on Tamin Lipsey’s legacy and looking ahead to the Sweet 16 matchup against Tennessee. Presented as always by Mechdyne.

Johnny Orr 14 seasons - 1 sweet 16
Tim Floyd 4 seasons - 1 sweet 16
Larry Eustachy 5 seasons - 1 elite 8
Wayne Morgan 3 seasons - 0 sweet 16
Greg McDermott 4 seasons- 0 sweet 16
Fred Hoiberg 5 seasons - 1 sweet 16
Steve Prohm 6 seasons - 1 sweet 16
TJ Otzelburger 5 seasons - 3 sweet 16

TJ is ISU’s GOAT, right?

Tomorrow correspondence.

"Hey Grant.

I know Obi was done a few weeks ago,...but your guys went up to Ames and showed up hard.

What the hell happened last night? Nobody showed up. The effing Cyclones beat the living f*** out of Kentucky yesterday afternoon.

They lost their AA Joshua Jefferson 46 hours ago!!!! Kentucky had a $22M payroll!!!! Are you hoping for more $$$$????

Good luck and stay in touch.

>:^[

Just curious what you think. At the sweet 16 should they redo the seeds so the top teams get to play the worst teams so the top teams are not playing other top teams and other teams get an easier game that didn’t do anything in the regular season to deserve and easy game? I personally think so

Randy dropped a new column after the Kentucky win.

Focus is on Otzelberger and the way this team responded — called it a “masterclass” and said this group is playing its most exciting basketball right now. Also ties it back to some past ISU teams and what this run could become.

Good read heading into the Sweet 16:

Due to the circumstances and beating a KY team primed for a run I might put that one above UCLA 2000.

What a ****ing group of ballers and what a staff to keep them full steam ahead.

Anyone have thoughts on who we match up with better? With Jefferson's availability up in up in the air, it'll be interesting. Thinking a W either way. Go Cyclones!

we could see 5 B12 teams in the S16.

I expect the KU game to be similar to ours, with them coming back and controlling.

I think TT outworks Alabama.

AZ is a gimmie.

Go B12.

I’m local to Chicago so pumped for Friday, would have gone no matter where it is but I’m expecting a home game against TN/UVA.

I was in St. louis for sessions 1 and 2 (wife a Mizzou grad), and I have to say the between session options for entertainment in Des Moines far better than what St. louis had to offer. Distance between Enterprise Center and all options for game watches, food and beer real turn off. Lucky that it was a beautiful and walking possible. Can't imagine how miserable it would have been if cold and rainy.
Casey's Center and attached Events Center along with Cowles Commons with the circus tent were outstanding fan gathering points and weather friendly. Des Moines deserves to be a permanent part of the NCAA basketball destinations.

Awful story. She covered the Minnesota Wild for NHL.com:

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Iowa State consensus All-American Joshua Jefferson is listed as OUT for Sunday's Round of 32 game against Kentucky, per the NCAA Player Availability Report.