Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball: Kansas State, Texas Tech leads before conference tournament

By Jason Kinander

AMES, IA - MARCH 9: Texas Tech Red Raiders Tariq Owens #11, Davide Moretti #25, Deshawn Corprew #3, Kyler Edwards #0 run off the court after defeating the Iowa State Cyclones 80-73 in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on March 9, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Texas Tech Red Raiders won 80-73 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - MARCH 9: Texas Tech Red Raiders Tariq Owens #11, Davide Moretti #25, Deshawn Corprew #3, Kyler Edwards #0 run off the court after defeating the Iowa State Cyclones 80-73 in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on March 9, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Texas Tech Red Raiders won 80-73 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – JANUARY 30: Marial Shayok #3 of the Iowa State Cyclones, and Cameron Lard #2 of the Iowa State Cyclones leave the court after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers 93-68 at Hilton Coliseum on January 30, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 93-68 over the West Virginia Mountaineers.(Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – JANUARY 30: Marial Shayok #3 of the Iowa State Cyclones, and Cameron Lard #2 of the Iowa State Cyclones leave the court after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers 93-68 at Hilton Coliseum on January 30, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 93-68 over the West Virginia Mountaineers.(Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

4. Iowa State Cyclones (20-11, 9-9 Conference Play)

The Good

In the matter of a season, Iowa State went from the Big 12’s cellar to the near top of the league, thanks to a couple of new additions.

The biggest was first-team All Big 12 guard/Forward Marial Shayok, a transfer from Virginia, who averaged 19 points per game during his senior season in Ames. Another big newcomer was freshman forward Talen Horton-Tucker, who made waves in the Cyclones’ non-conference play schedule.
Iowa State remained in the top-25 for most of the season, before a late season slump dropped them out. Iowa State’s big season wasn’t particularly surprising, but considering how bad last season was, this season was a major success for Steve Prohm’s group.

The Bad

Iowa State finished the season losing six of their last eight games, including blowouts against Texas and West Virginia.

While Lindell Wigginton was the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year, the sophomore guard didn’t exactly live up to expectations. Wigginton was pegged by some as the favorite to win the Big 12 Player of the Year, but a broken foot in non-conference play cost Wigginton over a month, and it seemed as if he could never quite get back to his prior form in return.

The Bottom Line

Although they limped to the finish line, this Iowa State team is very, very dangerous. They have senior leadership, shooting, defense, and the all-around contributions that you typically see in a championship team. Iowa State showed flashes of that championship potential all season, but they need to get back on their feet before considering their vast potential.

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