No. 7 ISU's all about heart, not heartbreak, after buzzer beating 82-80 loss to No. 2 Arizona in KC

[The Rob Gray]

No. 7 ISU's all about heart, not heartbreak, after buzzer-beating 82-80 loss to No. 2 Arizona in KC - Cyclone Fanatic

Mar 13, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones bench reacts after a play during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images KANSAS CITY, Mo. — No downtrodden expressions. No pouts, no head shaking, no regrets. No. 7...

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[spitfyr36]

I always want to win it outright, but might be best case scenario to lose there. If they get the bump to a 2, and get some rest for the real show I’m all for it.

 

[ianoconnor]

I always want to win it outright, but might be best case scenario to lose there. If they get the bump to a 2, and get some rest for the real show I’m all for it.

Agreed. Plus a chip on their shoulder and motivation to get that little bit better.

 

[Psiclone]

Agreed. Plus a chip on their shoulder and motivation to get that little bit better.

Disappointed we lost but wow, what an entertaining game to watch! Stats confirm how even the game was, except ISU led for most of the game.

 

[buf87]

So what did Lloyd say to Milan in that picture on Cyclone Fanatic

 

[Cycsk]

A few notes about last night's game:

1. Milan started this game by blocking a shot. In Tuscon, his game started with having a shot blocked.

2. I liked that Tamin immediately went to Toure after the final shot to encourage him on his good defense.

 

[jsb]

I always want to win it outright, but might be best case scenario to lose there. If they get the bump to a 2, and get some rest for the real show I’m all for it.

I don't think the rest is a bad thing, but someone on the other board said that most of the national champions won their conference tournament.

I hope that fact that we played really well kind of has the same effect.

 

[Billups06]

I don't think the rest is a bad thing, but someone on the other board said that most of the national champions won their conference tournament.

I hope that fact that we played really well kind of has the same effect.

I saw the stat last year before the tournament; going back the previous 10 years, 3 teams won both (Florida did it last year, making it 4).

Generally speaking, teams that made the elite 8 also made it to their conference tournament semifinal (at least) game.

 

[casey1973]

I always want to win it outright, but might be best case scenario to lose there. If they get the bump to a 2, and get some rest for the real show I’m all for it.

My thoughts exactly. Playing a 4th game in a row would be a challenge mentally and physically for them and they need to rest up a bit. What a game for everyone across the board to watch. Cyclone nation.

 

[t.m.]

I saw the stat last year before the tournament; going back the previous 10 years, 3 teams won both (Florida did it last year, making it 4).

Generally speaking, teams that made the elite 8 also made it to their conference tournament semifinal (at least) game.

I looked it up last year to combat all the “lose early in conference tourney, to give the team rest” posts. Last 11 years, it’s 39 of 44 final 4 teams made at least the semi’s of conference tournament

 

[Billups06]

I looked it up last year to combat all the “lose early in conference tourney, to give the team rest” posts. Last 11 years, it’s 39 of 44 final 4 teams made at least the semi’s of conference tournament

I would also venture to guess that the number of games played in the conf tournament by those teams is closer to 3 games.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

I always want to win it outright, but might be best case scenario to lose there. If they get the bump to a 2, and get some rest for the real show I’m all for it.

Ya we're not getting a 1 seed. The win would be nice but last night was as good as a win in the eyes of the committee.

 

[David Freshman1982]

I can't imagine anyone thinks at this point we won't be a 2 seed in the NCAAs, yeah, we're Iowa State so we've come to expect nut punches, but c'mon...as we sit here today, getting a 2 is as sure a bet as there is. Frankly, I could see us as high as the second #2. LFG.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Ya we're not getting a 1 seed. The win would be nice but last night was as good as a win in the eyes of the committee.

We were never getting the #1 seed, even if we had steamrolled Houston tonight and UConn and Florida got rolled out of their tournaments. Us losing 3 of 5 down the stretch pretty much killed that idea - even if the losses themselves weren't bad losses in terms of metrics.

 

[Thomasrickj]

I can't imagine anyone thinks at this point we won't be a 2 seed in the NCAAs, yeah, we're Iowa State so we've come to expect nut punches, but c'mon...as we sit here today, getting a 2 is as sure a bet as there is. Frankly, I could see us as high as the second #2. LFG.

I think we’re firmly on the 2 line now. For selfish reasons, I want to be the 2 in the east since I live right outside of DC. Would be amazing to get to see them in the round of 16 and hopefully 8 just 20 minutes from my house.

 

[jdoggivjc]

I think we’re firmly on the 2 line now. For selfish reasons, I want to be the 2 in the east since I live right outside of DC. Would be amazing to get to see them in the round of 16 and hopefully 8 just 20 minutes from my house.

Honestly... the only #1 seed I wouldn't want to face in a regional final at this point is Arizona (that deserves to be a national championship game).