Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big 12 Basketball power rankings: Texas Tech emerges as big threat to Kansas

By Tristan Freeman

LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 07: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts after dunking the basket during the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on February 7, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Iowa State 76-58. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 07: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts after dunking the basket during the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on February 7, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Iowa State 76-58. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 11
Next
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 19: Marial Shayok #3 of the Iowa State Cyclones plays defense during the first half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Lahaina Civic Center on November 19, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 19: Marial Shayok #3 of the Iowa State Cyclones plays defense during the first half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Lahaina Civic Center on November 19, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

4. Iowa State Cyclones (6-1)

Previous ranking: 5

Right before the Maui Invitational started, Iowa State suffered a serious blow by not having star guard Lindell Wigginton for the event. However, even without yet another starter, the Cyclones still out-performed expectations.

They had an early lead against Arizona before falling at the end. But Iowa State rebounded well to pull out resounding wins against both Illinois and San Diego State. The frontcourt combination of Marial Shayok and Micheal Jacobson combined for 40 points and 11 rebounds in the win. The redshirt transfers have continued to play at a high level in place of Cam Lard and Solomon Young, who’ll both be back this week.

While Ligginton has been out, freshman Talen Horton-Tucker has taken full advantage out on the perimeter. He’s averaging 14.9 ppg and 6.4 rpg and has scored a season-high 26 points on two occasions in the first seven games. His overall efficiency could use work but he represents a great future for the Cyclones.

The biggest goal for Iowa State is just to get fully healthy like the previously mentioned teams. They have five games left in conference play and outside of a tough road test at Iowa this week will be strongly favored to win the other four. By conference play, Wigginton and others should be back to contend at the top of the Big 12 Conference. In the meantime, developing the overall depth of the team will be the goal alongside winning.

Home/Big 12