NCAA Basketball: Ranking the Sweet 16 teams in 2022 NCAA Tournament

14. Iowa State (#11 seed)

Last year Iowa State won two games the entire season. TJ Otzelberger revolutionized this Cyclones program and already has matched that win total in this year’s NCAA Tournament alone. Iowa State ran off 12 straight wins to start the season before struggling at times during the gauntlet of Big 12 play. Consider their games in January and February as adequate training because these Cyclones have looked like a force in March Madness.

Defense has been the calling card, as it was for most of this campaign for the Cyclones. They got 23 points from Tyrese Hunter in a smothering defensive effort against 6-seed LSU, putting together a 59-54 upset win. Their second-round game was even more of a battle, holding on for a 54-49 victory over 3-seed Wisconsin. Both offenses struggled mightily, but it was Gabe Kalscheur’s 22 points that helped lead the way for the Cyclones. Consider also that we haven’t seen a breakout performance yet from leading scorer Izaiah Brockington.

Defense wins championships, but it helps to have a bit of offense as well. Iowa State possesses one of the nation’s best defenses this season, though their offense might not have the firepower to keep this thing going. Giving up just 103 points in two wins is impressive, but there are some strong offenses left in this field, including an upstart Miami team that is looking for blood in the next round.