Who: Iowa State (22-10, 12-6 Big 12) vs. No. 17 Baylor (25-6, 15-3 Big 12)
Where: T-Mobile Arena – Kansas City, Mo.
When: Friday, March 7, 2025 – 5:30 p.m. CT

The Links
WATCH: ESPN+
PxP: Brenda VanLengen Analyst: Andrea Lloyd
LISTEN: Cyclone Radio Network – Varsity App or Radio Affiliates
PxP: Noah Wolf Analyst: Jamie Steyer Johnson
LIVE STATS
IOWA STATE GAME NOTES
MEDIA CENTER

Bridget Carleton is still thriving in Minnesota.

Stephanie Soares was cut by the Wings on January 4th. I'm guessing she'll show up in someone's training camp.

Ashley Joens was signed to a training camp contract by Atlanta.

Login to view embedded media

Watched the PAC 12s last night. It was really cool that they were on Thursday so they don’t get lost in the shuffle with Big 10 and Big 12.

133 - Romney and Bailey are both tough. Neither did much in their finals match, so not really much to be learned. Bailey is not a guy that I’d want Frost to see in a 3-6 matchup at nationals if that is how seeds go. Tough to score on and can light it up on top.

197 - Ferrari - not sure we learned anything. Seems like relatively the same guy as he was before. Not going to be able to generate offense against the best, but nearly impossible to score on, can ride, and can get away. I personally don’t think he has the reps this year to be able to implement that style to a title. Buchanan looks great.

I am looking for one NCAA Wrestling Championship All-Session ticket to send my son with a friend. Friend is in section 115 but really just need to get him in the door.

Thanks so much to @Farnsworth for this one!

He was watching Ozark and saw them making Slammers, and it made him think:

“I Never ________ As A Kid.”

For example, I am going to take one of his - I have never seen a Pog, I don’t know what they are, and I don’t care. They were everywhere in the late 90s and I just nod if anyone brings it up.

What are some childhood experiences universal to your era that you either missed or avoided?

The first time around it was a crazy game. The second was every bit as crazy.

Lea Nelson and Chelsea Poppens react to Iowa State’s win over Arizona State in the second round of the 2025 Big 12 Championship.

I’ll be writing tonight’s game summary after I get back to the hotel. Doing it on a phone is just a course of frustration. Let’s just say that Brown went off big time and we needed every bit of it. Meanwhile…here’s a look at the rematch with Baylor.

I have been wondering about this idea over the past few days, our daughter and her girls spent Saturday night with us, and when she went home she found her husband, our SIL on the floor. She called us, and 911, we rushed over, and tried CPR but he was gone. Only 50 years old, he suffered from seizures and the ME thinks he had another one which caused him to stop breathing and stop his heart. We are all crushed by the news, which leads to my question. Are you prepared financially for the death of your spouse? Our daughter has no clue, she told us that her husband handled all the financial details for the family, is not even sure what they have. We will be working with a local lawyer to help with this mess, trying to get everything figured out down the road. But for the rest of you, are you writing things down, and talking about what you have and how the other spouse can assess it. I saw something today about a book you can purchase that basically stated, "I have died" and here is all the important information that you will need. Does anyone have something like this. Thanks for the advice.

Who: Iowa State (21-10, 12-6 Big 12) vs. Arizona State (10-21, 3-15 Big 12)
Where: T-Mobile Arena – Kansas City, Mo.
When: Thursday, March 6, 2025 – 5:30 p.m. CT

The Links
WATCH: ESPN+
PxP: Brenda VanLengen Analyst: Andrea Lloyd
LISTEN: Cyclone Radio Network – Varsity App or Radio Affiliates
PxP: Noah Wolf Analyst: Jamie Steyer Johnson

LIVE STATS

Login to view embedded media
As @Ryan Rohlk mentioned in another thread, a very generous donor is matching March donations up to $50k. With transfer season right around the corner, it’s a great time to donate and give the staff some spending money to build the roster for what is shaping up to be a very good 2025 squad!

Dylan Coon and Nigel Dyson recap the high of Iowa State’s win over Arizona before looking at the lows of a home loss to BYU. Late game scenarios, downsides of conference realignment, and more.

Jacqueline Cordova and Ben Visser go weight-by-weight as they preview Iowa State’s trip to the 2025 Big 12 Wrestling Championships. Expectations for the Cyclones and more, courtesy of Fareway Meat & Grocery.

I’m in Tirana, Albania for a conference and a bunch of wrestlers from Azerbaijan have just checked in to our hotel. Is this a big deal? I’m not very familiar with international wrestling.

The Republic of Korea Air Force has announced that during a Joint-Exercise today with the U.S. Air Force, a KF-16 Multirole Fighter Jet “accidentally dropped” at least 8 Mk-82 500lb Bombs on the Town of Dong-myeon in the Gyeonggi Province of South Korea. Less than 12 miles from the North Korean border. Bombs destroyed several houses, and a church. At least 7 injuries reported, 4 in critical condition.

In years passed, I've started a thread to track former Cyclones in their new programs season- long. I didn't have the time this year, even though there are fewer guys this year (9) than in recent years prior. I figured since I'm restless still following last night's double OT loss to BYU, I'd create this thread now, right as some low/mid major conferences are picking up steam in their conference tournaments. I figure if anyone is ever going to get curious enough to watch some of these former Cyclones in action, no better time to do so than when the stakes are at their highest and if you're like me, can't get enough hoops this time of year. I'll try and keep it updated as things unfold. Below is a list of the former Cyclones, how they've performed this season on their new team, and what their conference tournaments look like:

Caleb Grill, Missouri: I feel like of all former Clones out there, Caleb is probably the one most fans are aware of. He's having a career season in year 6 and on team 3, posting career highs in points (14.3) and 3 point percentage (43.3). He's Missouri's leading scorer. Missouri is a lock for the NCAA Tournament and is still playing for anywhere from a 4-8 seed in the SEC Tournament, which starts on 3/12.

Omaha Biliew, Wake Forest: I haven't been paying super close attention. I know he missed a chunk of time with an injury, but he's been available since late January and has still only logged playing time in 11 games total on the season. 8.8 minutes per game, 2.5 ppg, 1.3 rpg, which if you were to check, are almost identical to the numbers he put up at ISU last season. He is a 40% 3 point shooter in limited attempts (4/10) so perhaps some positive development there. Otherwise, it's fair to assume he probably won't be a two and done player. Wake is still vying for anywhere from a 4-7 seed in the ACC Tournament which starts on 3/11.

Tyrese Hunter, Memphis: Another former Clone at his 3rd school, Tyrese is having a career year just like his former teammate, Caleb Grill. He is putting up 14 ppg on 39.9% from 3, both career highs. He is also averaging 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals. Seems like maybe he has finally found a good fit with Penny. Memphis will be the #1 seed in the AAC. Their tournament starts on 3/12, and I'm not too familiar with their bracket, but would assume they get at least one bye.

Darlinstone Dubar, Tennessee: Still holding a spot on the Iowa State first team all-name, Dubar had a great 3- season stretch at Hofstra following his time in Ames. I was happy he got a chance to come back to the P5 for another shot at it, but the results indicate that maybe he was better off at a place like Hofstra. He has struggled and fallen out of the rotation for the most part, putting up a line of 3.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 26.9% 3 pt. Tennessee will at least grant him the opportunity to play in the Big Dance, and they will likely be a 2- seed. In the SEC Tournament, they'll be looking at a 3-7 seed.

Jackson Paveletzke, Ohio: The numbers tell the whole story here, Pav is just more comfortable at the mid major level. Nothing wrong with that. He's putting up respectable numbers (13.3 ppg, 4.9 apg, 4.2 rpg, 55.6% fg, 33.3% 3 pt) and has started every game for the Bobcats this season. Seeding has not been decided yet for the MAC, whose Tournament starts on 3/13, but Ohio will be a 3-6 seed by my estimation.

Eli King, North Dakota: The popular belief with Eli as I recall was that he would be a project and ready to contribute by year 3. I think his gradual progression the last 2 seasons bear that out. Averaging a career high in points (7.9) and rebounds (5.4) and 3 pt shooting (37.6%). Unfortunately in this era of college sports, it is hard to fill your roster with 18 year old projects. Will be interesting to see if he tries to move back up to the P5 this offseason. North Dakota is the 6 seed in the Summit, and will face 3 seed South Dakota State this Friday night, 3/7 at 8:30 pm.

Jelani Hamilton, Georgia State: I don't think Jelani would be playing much on this year's Cyclones team, but he has put together a nice RS freshman season in the Sun Belt. He has started 19/31 games, with a line of 10.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg 1.1 steals 33% 3pt. Georgia State is the 8 seed in the Sun Belt Tournament, and will face 9 seed Georgia Southern Thursday 3/6 at 5 pm.

Jaden Walker, Texas A&M CC: After 2 years at East Carolina, Jaden had to transfer down another level. I'm not sure what the reason is that led to it, but it certainly doesn't seem like it was for more playing time. In 28 games, Walker averages just over 20 minutes, 5.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 2.1 apg. He's kind of been the same player regardless of where he's been it seems. Corpus Christi is the 5 seed in the Southland, will kick off their conference tourney this Sunday, 3/9 at 5 pm against 8 seed Houston Christian.

Xavier Foster, Radford: Yes, he's still playing basketball. Kind of. But not really. Safe to say he's on the roster, but has only played in 11 games all season. 2.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg are some of his better stats. Believe it or not, he was better statistically as a freshman at Iowa State. In 5 seasons, Foster has played in 32 games total. It's unbelievable. Not that it matters much, because I don't think he'd see time except in a blowout, but Radford is the 4 seed in the Big South, will start conference tournament play against the 5 seed Presbyterian on Friday, 3/7 at 2:30.

Just wanted to let everyone know it took Sampson 4 years to get Houston (6 seed) to the tourney. 5 years to make a Sweet 16 (3 seed). Year 6 was cancelled. Year 7 (2 seed) F4 and year 8 E8 (5 seed). Year 9 and 10 S16 (both 1 seeds).

The key is having teams that consistently get to the S16 then anything can happen from there. We're only in year 4 of Otz.

History of 3 seeds making the F4 is not great since 2010 (our current projected seed):
2011: UConn (Natty)
2017: Oregon (F4)
2018: Michigan (Runner up)
2019: Texas Tech (Runner up)

In 14 tourneys since 2010, 15 3-5 seeds have made the F4. 28 1-2 seeds have made it in that time.

The current 6 seeds are St. Mary's, Oregon, Louisville and UCLA. None of those teams cause me a lot of fear.

This week of OTN is one we really enjoy, because the topic came from one of our followers. We appreciate every suggestion, as we have done this for so long coming up with new and original topics can prove challenging.

This week, the topic comes from @CYdTracked. He calls it "The Replacements,” as Gene Hackman's passing kind of inspired this thought. Bands that "replaced" notable/key members of their band over the years and kept on rolling. Could be vocalists or musicians, but the replacement(s) added their own sound and flavor, either good or bad.

So, we are looking for songs by groups when a significant change to membership was made.

If you could with the clip mention the new people to the group we would appreciate it.

"On That Note” is presented weekly by @MeanDean, @cyclones500 and myself.

Last Week: Hammer Time

Second round matchup pits the Sisters in a rematch against the Arizona State Sun Devils. Here’s a brief look back and at tomorrow's game.

Auburn/Duke/Florida/Tennessee/Houston/Alabama. Those six have kind of made themselves the top tier of the field at this point. Hard to argue that.

But then there are a bunch of other teams below that jockeying. Curious what you think the ceiling is for the following teams if they play to potential…and floor if you want too.

• Texas Tech
• Texas A&M
• Arizona
• Kentucky
• Michigan
• Maryland
• Purdue
• Missouri
• Wisconsin
• Michigan State
• Marquette
• BYU
• St. John’s

We've seen this team at its best and can beat anyone in the country. We've also seen this team at its worst and its ugly. March is a crapshoot and it can be very matchup dependent. That said, what is your prediction on March 5th for how far they will advance?