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NCAA Basketball: Ranking of the only 12 teams that can win a national title in 2024-25

By Tristan Freeman

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats and Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl shake hands before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Alabama Crimson Tide at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats and Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl shake hands before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Alabama Crimson Tide at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. / Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK
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6. Iowa State Cyclones - 7-1

Iowa State had plenty of hype coming into the season, returning its top four scorers from the year prior. Two of them have big senior campaigns in Keshon Gilbert (17.4 ppg and 5.5 apg) and Curtis Jones (16.3 ppg). There are three other double-digit scorers (Milan Momcilovic, Dishon Jackson, and Joshua Jefferson), while Tamin Lipsey is one of the top perimeter defenders in the country.

The Cyclones are known for being one of the top defenses in the country, and that’s remained the case. But the offense has been just as good, scoring around 88 ppg. They have wins over Marquette, Colorado, and Dayton, with just a loss to Auburn as its lone blemish.

Coach TJ Otzelberger has taken Iowa State to the top of the Big 12 this season, and they don’t have any real weaknesses. The development of Gilbert becoming the lead guard over Lipsey could also boost the team's higher ceiling by the time the Big Dance arrives.

The Cyclones will get beat up a bit in league play but can get a 1 or 2 seed if things continue to go well. Whether they’ll be the last team standing is another question, but for now, they look every bit of a national contender.

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