Monumental effort: Opponents struggling to find ways to beat No. 3 Iowa State

[ad_1]

Iowa State withstood a game that was more like a wrestling match and made the key plays down the stretch, taking a three-point lead with 20 seconds left.

Another hard-fought road win within their grasp, the third-ranked Cyclones wound up leaving McKale Center with an overtime loss after Arizona’s Caleb Love hit a desperation heave from beyond half court at the end of regulation.

“I don’t know what the odds are of that shot going in, but probably not real high,” Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger said after last Saturday’s 86-75 loss.

It’s taken a monumental effort for anyone to beat Iowa State this season.

Prior to the Arizona loss, the Cyclones (17-3, 7-2 Big 12) had matched the best start in program history, with the 1994-95 team. Iowa State reached its highest ranking ever at No. 2 earlier this season and only fell one place after losing to West Virginia on Jan. 18.

The Cyclones are No. 7 in the NET rankings and No. 5 in the KenPom metrics. Their resume includes wins over No. 9 Marquette, then-No. 25 Baylor, No. 22 Texas Tech and No. 11 Kansas. Iowa State’s only losses were by two to top-ranked Auburn at the Maui Invitational, at West Virginia without sharpshooter Milan Momcilovic (hand) and after Love’s desperation heave.

“A really good team,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. “Nothing but respect.”

The Cyclones are earning it from everywhere with a deep roster loaded with talent at every position.

Iowa State played in the NCAA Tournament each of its first three seasons under Otzelberger, reaching the Sweet 16 for the second time last season. The Cyclones returned three starters this year and added two key transfers in big men Joshua Jefferson (Saint Mary’s) and Dishon Jackson (Charlotte).

Jefferson gives Iowa State versatility, a 6-foot-9 forward who can score in multiple ways while averaging 12.9 points and 8.1 rebounds. Jackson, at 6-11, 274 pounds, provides the muscle inside, as scorer, rebounder and rim protector. Momcilovic is shooting 44% from 3 and recently…

[ad_2]
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/monumental-effort-opponents-struggling-ways-203940974.html

Author : Associated Press

Publish date : 2025-01-31 20:39:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.