Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Texas Tech beats out Kansas for No. 1

By Jason Kinander

<> at United Spirit Arena on January 8, 2019 in Lubbock, Texas.
<> at United Spirit Arena on January 8, 2019 in Lubbock, Texas. /
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AMES, IA – JANUARY 5: Tyrese Haliburton #22 of the Iowa State Cyclones reacts after scoring a three point basket in the second half of play against the Kansas Jayhawks at Hilton Coliseum on January 5, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 77-60 over the Kansas Jayhawks. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – JANUARY 5: Tyrese Haliburton #22 of the Iowa State Cyclones reacts after scoring a three point basket in the second half of play against the Kansas Jayhawks at Hilton Coliseum on January 5, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 77-60 over the Kansas Jayhawks. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

5. Iowa State Cyclones (12-4, 2-2 Conference Play)

Previous Ranking: No. 5

Iowa State has pulled off the biggest upset of the season thus far in Big 12 play, knocking off then-ranked #5 Kansas at home last Saturday.

How did the Cyclones follow that up? With back-to-back losses to unranked teams.

Yep. Iowa State lost to Baylor on Tuesday, before falling to Kansas State at home on Saturday. Iowa State just hasn’t done a good job of holding true to their #20 ranking, a ranking that they’ll likely lose on Monday.

But it hasn’t been all bad since the Kansas win for the Cyclones. Lindell Wigginton has been playing very well since returning from injury, and Marial Shayock is looking like a serious contender to challenge Dedric Lawson and Jarrett Culver for the Big 12 Player of the Year.

Despite the two losses, Iowa State is certainly still a tournament team. They already have their signature win, and considering that both losses came by just three points, its safe to assume that the rough last two games is a fluke for the Cyclones.

However, Iowa State needs to rebound. They’ll take on both Texas Tech and Kansas on the road in the next two weeks, a pair of road tests that will be a major revelation of the Cyclones identity as a team.

If they can come away with wins in at least one of those road games, Iowa State should find themselves back in the Top 25. If not, a little slip for the Cyclones could fluctuate into a disastrous downfall.

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