Every time I start to wonder why in the world I trusted Iowa State enough to pick them as my preseason Big 12 favorite, the Cyclones seem to put together a heavyweight worthy performance and get me back on board.
Now, Kansas has secured at least a share of the regular season conference title, but if the Jayhawks drop either game this week against West Virginia or Oklahoma, the door once again opens for ISU to share that top spot.
At halftime of Monday night’s showdown between ISU and the visiting Oklahoma Sooners, Iowa State looked all but dead in the water. The Cyclones had lost two games in a row to Baylor (at home) and on the road versus Kansas State, but they were staring at a 19-point deficit to OU.
Seemingly on cue, a 31-4 run propelled them right back into the driver’s seat and, eventually, towards a 77-70 win.
Iowa State is still one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the country, thanks in large part to the magic of Georges Niang’s immense skill set.
What sets this year’s team apart from those of the past is their grit. When a stop is needed, or a loose ball needs grabbing, this group finds a way to do it. They come together collectively and make the dirty and unfashionable plays needed to win big games, or even escape games where they might look like the victim of an upset.
Sure, they’ve been vulnerable, as evidenced by the recent two-game skid. However, bouncing back in the way that they did against Oklahoma, also shows that this group still has the potential to be a major factor in the NCAA Tournament.
