Iowa State: Are They The Underdogs To Look For In March Madness?

Written By: Steve Lee

They may be defined as “underdogs” or “Cinderella teams”, a term that is usually saved for teams that have little to no chance of winning even a single game during the NCAA Tournament. Teams like Loyola Marymount (1990), George Mason (2006), Davidson (2008), VCU (2011), UConn (2014), and Loyola Chicago (2018) come to mind when conversations turn toward the most surprising tournament runs in recent memory. 

This year there will likely be a handful of teams that could fall into the same conversation. Teams such as Nevada, McNeese State, and North Carolina State could make or break brackets around the world. 

On the other hand, when it comes to the favorites to win the 2024 NCAA Tournament, there is no team that stands out more than any other. In a year of parity, UConn, Houston, North Carolina, and Purdue have all received top seeding in their respective brackets. Then there are the traditional powerhouse schools like Kansas, Kentucky, and Arizona which have people fearing can make a big run to cutting down the nets after the final game. 

One team that few experts are talking about is the Iowa State Cyclones (#2 seed in the East region). Yes they finished the regular season second in the Big 12 and yes they basically ran through the Big 12 tournament with convincing victories over Kansas State, Baylor, and Houston, but it seems as though nobody is looking at them as a true contender to raise their first NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship banner. 

NCAA Tournament History

Finishing the season as the fourth-ranked team in the nation on both the AP Top 25 and the Coaches Poll, Iowa State is set to make their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance when they take on South Dakota State. It will be the first time since 2001 that the Cyclones have been ranked as a second seed. 

To date, the team has advanced as far as the Final Four only once (1944) and has reached the Elite Eight just twice (1944, 2000). Last year the Cyclones fell in the first round as a sixth seed to the eleventh-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers 59-41. Nonetheless they have produced some talent for the NBA, with some of the names in the Iowa State NBA players all time containing names like Monte Morris, who now plays for the Timberwolves and Tyrese Haliburton, who is impressing for the Indiana Pacers.

Players To Watch For

The Cyclones are a well-rounded team, receiving contributions from players from every class. From returning stars to impact transfers to four-star recruits, coach T.J. Otzelberger has gotten the most out of his team on both ends of the floor. 

Keshon Gilbert (Junior - 13.8 ppg, 4.5rpg, 4.3apg)

Tamin Lipsey (Sophomore - 12.3ppg, 4.7rpg, 4.9apg, 2.8spg)

Milan Momcilovic (Freshman - 11ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.2apg)

Curtis Jones (Senior - 10.5ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.9apg)

Tre King (Senior - 9.1ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.1spg)

Keys To Success

While the Cyclones can fill the bucket, Iowa State’s suffocating and overwhelming defense has been known to force the opposition to take off-balanced shots or call time-outs in order to reset their attack, only to be shut down again. Combining athleticism, toughness, quickness, and size, the Cyclones finished the regular season ranked first in defensive efficiency. 

Been There Done That

Although the Cyclones played the 351st-ranked non-conference schedule, which likely led to not receiving a one-seed, they did play a tough Big 12 schedule that saw two victories over tournament favorites Houston as well as victories over Kansas, Baylor, and BYU. In fact of the Cougars' four losses, two came at the hands of the Cyclones. Add in victories over offensive-minded teams like Iowa and Texas and defensive-focused programs such as UCF and Cincinnati and Otzelberger’s boys have bested the best of the best with and without the ball. 

The Road Ahead

Other than the short trip from Iowa to Nebraska for their first and hopefully second-round games, the tournament committee didn’t do the Cyclones any favors when it comes to a potential path to the Final Four. 

“Honestly, we don’t really care. At least from what I’ve gotten from the guys and the conversations we’ve had, like it would have been cool to be a one, but at the end of the day, we know what we do and do well, and we honestly think we can beat anybody in the country, whether we’re a one-seed, two-seed or whatever,” Tre King stated. 

Although it has been five years and a stop with the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels in between, Otzelberger still has connections with the current South Dakota staff. Should they defeat the Jackrabbits, Iowa State would then face the winner of Washington St. / Drake and then possibly Illinois Fighting Illinis before potentially squaring off against UConn to represent the East region.

Based on the Cyclones' convincing run through the Big 12 Tournament, especially their dominating victory over the Cougars a former number-one ranked team in the country, calling Iowa State an “underdog” is a discredit to their impressive season. Are they a media favorite, no. Are they a fan favorite, not exactly. However, with that being said, it is not out of the realm of reality that the Cyclones could surprise some teams, prove some analysts wrong, and impact some brackets along the way to a spot in the Final Four. 

Final Thoughts

In the landscape of the NCAA March Madness, the underdog narrative often captivates audiences, with memorable Cinderella stories etched into the tournament's history. As the 2024 tournament unfolds, contenders like Nevada, McNeese State, and North Carolina State loom, ready to potentially disrupt brackets worldwide. 

However, parity reigns supreme among the favorites this year, with no clear frontrunner emerging from the likes of UConn, Houston, North Carolina, and Purdue, alongside traditional powerhouses such as Kansas, Kentucky, and Arizona. Amidst this competitive landscape, the Iowa State Cyclones stand out as an intriguing contender. 

Despite being overlooked by many, their impressive regular-season performance, defensive prowess, and depth of talent position them as formidable opponents. Led by coach T.J. Otzelberger and a roster boasting both experience and rising stars, the Cyclones have the potential to make a deep tournament run. 

While their path may be challenging, discounting Iowa State as mere underdogs would be overlooking their genuine capability to surprise, defy expectations, and perhaps, carve their path to the Final Four.