Iowa State Basketball: Top five games from the 2016-2017 season
By Doug Winkey
2. Iowa State wins the Big 12 Championship over West Virginia
March 11th, 2017: Iowa State 80, West Virginia 74
Few things taste as sweet as a championship. Iowa State knew this better than most after they captured their third Big 12 Tournament title in four years with this win. The 80-74 win over the stifling defense of West Virginia took the Cyclones off the bubble and put them in the NCAA Tournament on an automatic bid.
Star guard Monte Morris was the player of the game with a team-high 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. His steady play was the difference between winning and losing to the Mountaineers for the third time in one season. Reserve forward Darrell Bowie was also key with 10 points and six rebounds off the bench.
Winning the Big 12 Championship was a big one for Iowa State as it really helped their overall tournament resume. The Cyclones defeated Oklahoma State, TCU, and West Virginia on their way to the title. With those wins, Iowa State’s resume was good enough to earn a five seed in the NCAA Tournament.
As sweet as it was to see the Cyclones hoist another trophy, though, it pails in comparison to the grand daddy of road victories.