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

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.

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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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!

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

VS



Kentucky (22-13, 10-8 SEC)
#6 IOWA STATE (28-7, 12-6 BIG 12)
SUNDAY, MARCH 22TH 1:45 P.M. CST
Enterprise Center / St. Louis, MO


TV: CBS
Talent: Spero Dedes, pxp Jim Spanarkel, analyst Jon Rothstein, reporter

Radio: Cyclone Radio Network (Varsity Network)
CRN Talent: John Walters (pxp); Eric Heft (analyst)

Below is the full interview with Kevin Dresser following tonight's title match.

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Roster turnover, graduates, roster holes and transfer options…

Need a transfer again at 84,97 and maybe another body at 65/74 imo

Let off-season begin

OSU had 4 freshmen in finals.
3 won national titles.

I don’t feel good about that.
Enjoyed the tournament this weekend and will be Clone to the Bone forever.

Screw iowa, psu, and osu.

I've been wondering about this for a while. Our wrestling team does not have nearly as competitive a schedule as a team in the B10. Does that hurt us. I started thinking about this a few years ago, as an avid VB fan, I'd see our girls do decently in the B12 but have very, very limited success once they hit the national tournament.

I looked at our wrestling schedule this year, and we only fought 3 teams that finished in the top 10 of the 2026 tournament, and only 5 teams finishing in the top 15. Iowa, on the other hand, fought 6 top 10 teams and 8 top 15 teams. I admit I am not considering who we met at tournaments but I doubt if it changes things very much.

B12 BB is high level and FB is decent. But are we destined to slide backwards for no other reason than the competition our guys face.

My fear is that it becomes increasingly difficult for our guys to do well nationally as we move into the future. Yes, money and recruiting are a factor but I would like to think outside that box for now. Those are connected issues but let's focus on the level of competition for this discussion.

Or am I all wet.

Lea Nelson and Jackson Pence react to Iowa State’s first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament, courtesy of Karl Auto Group.

The recurring problem of a guard court not being able to make a basket contributed to another early out for the Sisters. But the problems went much deeper than horrid shooting.

Interested to see the thoughts from the rest of the fan base.

Pros:

You beat Iowa
Undefeated non-con even though it was the weakest schedule you could ask for
Cracked top 10

Cons
- Lost to a terrible Cincinnati squad
- Blew a 12 point lead in the 4th quarter against TCU because you "ran out of gas"
- Said the goal was to be "monsters in March" and were one and done in the Big 12 tournament and NCAA tournament.
- Have quite possibly the worst defense in P4. (Unsure if its lazy, poor IQ, or poor scheme)
- Have zero offense outside of "pass the ball to Audi"

I anticipate Bill and the entire staff being back next year as a "retirement tour." My hope is we find a way to get a little new blood to come in to bring some life to the defensive end - zero ***** were given in the second quarter today, or the entrie first half against Arizona State - and the "zero defensive ***** given" mindset for entire quarters really was an issue we had all year.

When was the last time ISU had 1+ in the ncaa finals? I remember Kyven, DC, John Reader all in the finals.

Was the last time Hesket and “he who I can’t say his name” the last time?

TIA and go Younger!!

Joshua Jefferson is "unlikely" to play tomorrow, per T.J. Otzelberger. With or without Jefferson, Iowa State is determined to play their identity.

Kentucky is well aware of that identity. Jake Brend reports from the Enterprise Center.

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