Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball: Buy or sell Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State and Texas Tech

By Joe Cook-Shugart

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - JANUARY 21: Kansas Jayhawks mascots perform during the game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Allen Fieldhouse on January 21, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS - JANUARY 21: Kansas Jayhawks mascots perform during the game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Allen Fieldhouse on January 21, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – JANUARY 5: Marial Shayok #3 of the Iowa State Cyclones drives the ball as Quentin Grimes #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks puts pressure on in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on January 5, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – JANUARY 5: Marial Shayok #3 of the Iowa State Cyclones drives the ball as Quentin Grimes #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks puts pressure on in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on January 5, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

Iowa State Cyclones

Expectation: Make the Elite Eight
Buy or Sell: Buy

Given their remaining schedule and how they’ve done this season up until this point, Iowa State has a legitimate chance at winning the Big 12 regular season title. They’ve already managed to split their games with Kansas and won on the road in Lubbock. The Cyclones also have a chance at redeeming their only home loss of the season when they travel to Manhattan to play Kansas State in one week’s time – and that is likely to be their toughest remaining regular season game.

Ignoring the complete debacle that was last season, Steve Prohm has been able to navigate Iowa State to the NCAA Tournament and out of the first round twice in his first three seasons in Ames. Going into his eighth season as a head coach, a Prohm-coached team has still yet to advance beyond the Sweet 16. Given the quality of the team this season, there is hope that this is the year he finally gets over that hump – you can sign me up!

After sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, Marial Shayok is absolutely balling out this year. He can score the ball effectively in a multitude of ways (57% on 2PT, 39% on 3PT, 88% FT), and has demonstrated time and time again that he wants the ball in his hands when the game is on the line. That blend of quality leadership and talent from your leading scorer is precisely what you need to make a deep tournament run.

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