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Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: West Virginia falls, Iowa State surprises to start out season

By Tristan Freeman

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Devon Dotson #11 of the Kansas Jayhawks dribbles the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Devon Dotson #11 of the Kansas Jayhawks dribbles the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – FEBRUARY 10: An Iowa State Cyclones cheer on her team in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on February 10, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 88-80 over the Oklahoma Sooners. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – FEBRUARY 10: An Iowa State Cyclones cheer on her team in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on February 10, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 88-80 over the Oklahoma Sooners. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

5. Iowa State Cyclones (3-0)

Preseason rank: 6

The off-season was filled with bad news for the Cyclones, including forwards Cam Lard each being suspended for the first month of the season. Along with Solomon Young’s injury, Iowa State was missing key depth along the frontline. In the games against Alabama State and Texas Southern, it wasn’t an issue but versus a Missouri Tigers team with good bigs, they should’ve been in real trouble.

That wasn’t the case, with Iowa State handily winning against the Tigers by 17 points. It was due to the impact transfer duo of Mariol Shayok and Michael Jacobson, who combined for 36 points and 10 rebounds in the victory. These two currently lead the Cyclones in scoring, along with bringing in a defensive intensity that the team didn’t have a season ago.

The backcourt has been pulling in their weight as well, with freshmen Tyrese Haliburton and Talen Horton-Tucker averaging over double figures in scoring. They’ve each been playing more than anticipated early on with star guard Lindell Wigginton in and out of the lineup with an injury as well.

The Cyclones play in the Maui Invitational this week and could face teams such as Gonzaga, Auburn, or even Duke. The missing depth will certainly be felt then but it’s great to see the role players stepping it up in their absence. Once fully together, this Iowa State team will make a top-4 push in the Big 12.

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