The Iowa State Cyclones overcame the Oklahoma State Cowboys 83-71 on Sunday to remain unbeaten this season (16-0). After the previously No. 1 Michigan Wolverines’ shock loss to the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday, the Cyclones climbed up to No. 2 in the AP Top 25 rankings, for only the second time in program history.
The Cyclones’ mettle will be tested when they travel to Allen Fieldhouse to face off against the Kansas Jayhawks on Tuesday evening, and incredibly, they are 3.0-point favorites for the clash, an unprecedented position for them.
Iowa State Faces Biggest Test of Unbeaten Season
Historically, the Jayhawks have dominated the encounter against the Cyclones, and coach Bill Self has an extraordinary 35-13 record against them, although Iowa State has won three of the last five matchups.
The Jayhawks are 1-2 in Big 12 play, having lost to the UCF Knights and West Virginia Mountaineers, and have an 11-5 record overall, with a 5-5 record in Quad 1 & 2 matchups so far this season.
During his weekly news conference before the game against Kansas, T. J. Otzelberger revealed his respect for Self’s Kansas, despite an inconsistent season so far.
“Obviously, hard to have more respect for a program, a coach, and they’ve got 14 straight league titles, right? So you know how good they’ve been over time,” Otzelberger said. “They’ve had their moments this year, they’ve had their challenges. And at the same time, we know that we expect for them to be at their best.
“We know that they have an opportunity now to come back and be on their home court. And so we’ll aim to be at our best because we have a lot of respect for them and respect for their program, and now know that they’re going to be at their best.”
While Iowa State’s defense has allowed a measly 62.9 points per game (No. 6 in the country), they will have to contain Kansas star Darryn Peterson, who is averaging 22.6 points per game on 47.6% shooting from the floor and 41.5% shooting from beyond the arc.
Otzelberger’s roster is stacked with some of the best players in the country, including forward Milan Momcilovic (17.6 ppg), Joshua Jefferson (17.7 ppg), and guard Tamin Lipsey (14.5 ppg), who have proven themselves with consistent production.
Last season, the Cyclones were ranked No. 2 for the first time in program history, but they frittered away that advantage, ending the season in a loss to the Ole Miss Rebels in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament and finishing with a 25-10 record.
The Cyclones announced themselves as genuine contenders when they blew out the then No. 1 Purdue Boilermakers 81-58 on the road on Dec. 6. A win at Allen Fieldhouse on Tuesday could signal the changing of the guard in the Big 12 and signal a sturdier team this time around.
