Category: Iowa State Cyclones

Iowa State basketball demands respect after win over Houston

The Iowa State Cyclones are now 12-3 on the season with a huge win over Houston on Tuesday, and it is time for college basketball fans to take notice.

Four games into the 2023-24 college basketball season the Iowa State Cyclones were not only 4-0, they had posted margins of victory of 41 points, 55 points, 31 points, and 55 points.

Sure the opponents weren’t exactly college basketball blue bloods – Green Bay, Lindenwood, Idaho State, and Grambling – but computer services like Torvik and KenPom who factor in the margin of victory were giving a lot of love to coach T.J. Otzelberger’s squad.

A four-point win over VCU was then followed by a pair of losses to Virginia Tech and then No. 12 Texas A&M, and even though they rattled off six straight victories after that – including blowouts over DePaul and Iowa – the Cyclones didn’t sniff the Top 25 and were generally cast aside as another good but not great team in a Big 12 conference full of them.

But now, after beating the only undefeated team left in college basketball on Tuesday, the Houston Cougars, this Iowa State team is finally stepping up when needed to truly demand respect across the country.

The Cyclones held Houston to 53 points on just 38% shooting from the field, and while the team’s offense wasn’t much better they converted at the free throw line (18-22) and did enough to withstand a comeback attempt and take down the Coogs – who were playing just their second ever conference game in the Big 12.

Iowa State is now up to No. 11 in the NET rankings, boasting a 12-3 overall record. They are a combined 3-3 in Quad 1 and Quad 2 games and 9-0 in Quad 4 contests, which doesn’t do them a ton of favors, but plenty of opportunities remain to pick up quality victories in conference play like they did on Tuesday evening.

“We’re a young team, we’re learning every game,” star sophomore guard Tamin Lipsey said after the game. “But we’re going to come out and fight every game no matter who we’re playing, no matter where we’re playing. Just don’t doubt us.”

The computers have loved Iowa State all season long, and after Tuesday’s big win – it might be time college basketball fans and analysts take notice.

Historic night in college basketball as No. 1 Purdue and No. 2 Houston lose to unranked teams

The No. 1 Purdue Boilermakers and No. 2 Houston Cougars fell to unranked opponents in Nebraska and Iowa State in a wild Tuesday of college basketball.

It was as if college basketball knew the football season was over and they needed to make a big splash to get people’s attention. On Tuesday evening, one day after Michigan won the national championship over Washington, college basketball treated fans to a pair of historic upsets with No. 1 Purdue falling to Nebraska while No. 2 Houston fell to Iowa State.

There have been 648 all-time instances of the top two teams each playing an unranked opponent on the same night, and only eight times where both teams lost.

We’ll start with No. 1 Purdue, who is now 14-2 on the season but just 3-2 in Big Ten play after losing to Northwestern back in December. The Boilermakers and in particular Zach Edey were flustered by Nebraska’s pesky defense, with the reigning National Player of the Year only managing 15 points and seven rebounds on 6-10 shooting.

Although Purdue was able to knock down 13 three-pointers on 39.4% shooting, it was the Cornhuskers who dominated offensively – making 14 threes on a blistering 60.9% shooting and racking up 88 total points in their first win over a No. 1 team in 41 years.

Meanwhile, Houston took their first loss of the year in just their second-ever Big 12 regular season contest, falling 57-53 to an Iowa State team that is now 12-3 on the year and should find themselves ranked next week.

The Cyclones held Houston to just 38% from the field and 26.9% (7-26) from distance. Starting guards LJ Cryer and Jamal Shead were a combined 2-14 from three and 7-24 from the field while turning the ball over a whopping eight times.

Iowa State’s offense wasn’t great, but they went 18-22 from the free throw line and a strong game from sophomore Tamin Lipsey (14 points and four rebounds) was enough to pull off a major victory and prove this team deserves more respect going forward.

The madness may not be over as No. 3 Kansas, No. 4 UConn, and No. 5 Tennessee are all in action on Wednesday evening, and they all face tough road contests in conference play against Central Florida, Xavier, and Mississippi State, respectively.

Did Iowa State get robbed of points in their 10-7 loss to Ohio?

Ohio upset Iowa State on Saturday but a field goal that was ruled no good might be the biggest storyline coming out of the game.

The Ohio Bobcats on Saturday afternoon upset the Big 12’s Iowa State Cyclones 10-7.

While the Cyclones were less than a field goal favorite heading into the game, the win still is a big one for Ohio head coach Tim Albin and his program. It also marks the Bobcats’ first win over a Power Five opponent since 2017, when they defeated Kansas 42-30.

However, one of the major stories coming out of the win for the Bobcats is a controversial no-good call on an Iowa State field goal attempt midway through the fourth quarter.

In a 10-0 game at the time, Iowa State kicker Chase Contreraz attempted a 37-year field goal in hopes of getting the Cyclones on the board. The kick, which initially appeared to be good, was ruled no-good by the officials, keeping the score at 10-0 Ohio. A replay from under the goalpost would later show that the kick was, in fact good.

The Cyclones would later score a touchdown with under five minutes to go to cut the Bobcats’ lead to 10-7 but were unable to muster up another scoring drive. While Iowa State certainly didn’t bring their best effort on Saturday afternoon against Ohio and had plenty of chances otherwise, the missed field goal call will be one that may keep Matt Campbell and his program up on Saturday night.

Iowa State, now 1-2 on the season, will look to rebound next weekend as they host Oklahoma State. Ohio, now 3-1 this season, will travel to Bowling Green next Saturday to take on the Falcons in their MAC opener.

Iowa State player implicated in gambling probe leaves the program

One player leaves the program after being implicated in the state of Iowa’s gambling investigation.

In the state of Iowa, there seems to be a gambling issue for both of the major schools in the state. Players for both the Iowa Hawkeyes and [autotag]Iowa State Cyclones[/autotag] were named in the state’s investigation.

One of those players named is no longer with the football program in Ames. Isaiah Lee has left the program according to a report from the Associated Press. Lee appeared in 12 games last season for the Cyclones while accumulating 22 tackles and 1.5 TFLs.

Lee was among five other players at Iowa State that have been charged.

Lee was charged with tampering with records for allegedly disguising his identity to place online sports wagers, according to court documents.

What remains to be seen is how the punishments will be laid out for involvement in these online wagers. Already this offseason we have seen Iowa State starting quarterback Hunter Dekkers release a statement. In that statement, he admitted that he would not be at camp until the matter is resolved.

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Iowa St QB Hunter Dekkers’ attorney releases statement on betting investigation

It appears that Hunter Dekkers will not report to fall camp until the investigation is completed.

An investigation into Iowa wagering has opened the floodgates for both the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones. Most recently, it was ISU QB Hunter Dekkers that has become the center of the investigation per reports.

In recent years we have seen this hit the NFL side with betting on games, most notably with former Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley. He was suspended for the entire 2022 season.

The NCAA prohibits sports betting or providing information to individuals to use in sports betting. If an athlete is found to have partaken in these activities it would result in loss of any remaining eligibility. Any wagers made on May 2 and beyond are subject to the following punishment per the NCAA:

  • Student-athletes who engage in activities to influence the outcomes of their own games or knowingly provide information to individuals involved in sports betting activities will potentially face permanent loss of collegiate eligibility in all sports.
  • If a student-athlete wagers on their own sport at another school, education on sports wagering rules and prevention will be required as a condition of reinstatement, and the loss of 50% of one season of eligibility will be considered.

The NCAA laid out the following punishments for the amount of bets placed.

$200 or less: sports wagering rules and prevention education.

$201-$500: loss of 10% of a season of eligibility, plus rules and prevention education.

$501-$800: loss of 20% of a season of eligibility, plus rules and prevention education.

Greater than $800: loss of 30% of a season of eligibility, plus rules and prevention education.

With all eyes turning to Hunter Dekkers at this point, his legal team released the following statement via social media channels.

“This prosecution interferes with and politicizes what is the business of Iowa State University and the NCAA. The investigation at the Iowa universities is the tip of an iceberg. Thousands and thousands of college athletes place bets—usually very small ones—with shared accounts. That is for the schools and the NCAA to police.

The statement goes on to announce that Dekkers will not participate in fall camp.

“So he can focus on his studies and on the defense of this criminal charge, Hunter has informed the University and the coaching staff that he cannot participate in fall football camp.”

It remains to be seen how this will impact the Cyclones and head coach Matt Campbell, who are coming off their first losing season since 2016. That was the first year under Campbell and Iowa State finished 3-9.

This is just the beginning with ‘suspicious wagering activity’

This is just the tip of the iceberg.

When reports surfaced that the Ohio Casino Control Commission was looking into suspicious wagering activity, many wondered if this was a one-time event or just the tip of the iceberg. It appears that it is the latter.

The probe into the suspicious wagering activity ended with the firing of Alabama baseball head coach, Brad Bohannon.

“Alabama director of athletics Greg Byrne announced he has initiated the termination process for head baseball coach Brad Bohannon for, among other things, violating the standards, duties, and responsibilities expected of University employees,” said Alabama in a press release. “Bohannon has been relieved of all duties and Jason Jackson will serve as the interim head coach. There will be no further comment at this time pending an ongoing review.”

It wouldn’t be long before we saw more reports surface about teams being investigated. On Monday, two more schools were reportedly dealing with investigations stemming from wagers being made. In the state of Iowa, both Power Five schools were reporting violations.

The Iowa Hawkeyes provided information on their potential violations through a press release.

The University of Iowa and the Department of Athletics are aware of the sports wagering investigation and are fully cooperating. We have alerted the NCAA of the potential violations and we have hired outside counsel to assist in the investigative process.

The athletics department provides education on NCAA rules regarding the the prohibition of sports wagering as well as the potential consequences.

According to the release, the university received information on 111 individuals. That number included 26 student-athletes across baseball, football, men’s basketball, men’s track and field, and men’s wresting. One individual is a full-time employee of the UI Department of Athletics.

Iowa State released a statement on Monday afternoon as well.

“Iowa State University and its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is aware of online sports wagering allegations involving approximately 15 of our active student-athletes from the sports of football, wrestling and track & field in violation of NCA rules. The university has notified the NCAA and will take the appropriate actions to resolve these issues.”

NCAA rules prohibit athletes, coaches and staff from betting on amateur, collegiate and professional sports in which the NCAA conducts a championship.

What remains to be seen is how the NCAA will handle any punishments for all parties involved. One thing you can be sure of, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Women’s Sweet 16: game predictions, who advances to the Elite Eight?

Only two No. 1 seeds remain in the women’s tournament and this is the first time since 1998 that the Sweet 16 will be without two of its No. 1 seeds.

Only two No. 1 seeds remain in the women’s tournament and this is the first time since 1998 that the Sweet 16 will be without two of its No. 1 seeds. We have a No. 8 seed in Ole Miss and a No. 9 seed in Miami matched up against No. 5 and No. 4 seeds respectively. This tournament is about to heat up and it feels like upsets are on the brink.

Sweet 16 games begin Friday, March 24 with four matchups on Friday and four matchups on Saturday. The frontrunners in the tournament are still the top-seeded teams, but lower-seeded teams are peaking at just the right time and anything can happen in March.

Here’s everything you need ahead of this weekend’s Sweet 16.

2023 NCAA women’s Sweet 16: Latest bracket, schedule, and how to watch

There are few surprises with Miami, Colorado, and Ole Miss in the mix of teams, but stalwarts are also accounted for in South Carolina, Iowa, and UConn.

The Sweet 16 is upon us and games begin Friday, March 24. There are four matchups on Friday and four matchups on Saturday. There are few surprises with Miami, Colorado, and Ole Miss in the mix of teams, but stalwarts are also accounted for in South Carolina, Iowa, and UConn.

Sweet 16 Schedule: (All game times are eastern)

Friday, March 24 — Sweet 16

  • No. 4 Villanova vs. No. 9 Miami | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
  • No. 2 Utah vs. No. 3 LSU | 5 p.m. | ESPN
  • No. 2 Iowa vs. No. 6 Colorado | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
  • No. 5 Louisville vs. No. 8 Ole Miss | 10 p.m. | ESPN

Saturday, March 25 — Sweet 16

  • No. 2 Maryland vs. No. 3 Notre Dame | 11:30 a.m. | ESPN
  • No.1 South Carolina vs. No. 4 UCLA | 2:00 p.m. | ESPN
  • No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Ohio State | 4 p.m. | ABC
  • No. 1 Virginia Tech vs. No. 4 Tennessee | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN2

Only two No. 1 seeds remain in the tournament and this is the first time since 1998 that the Sweet 16 will be without two of its No. 1 seeds.

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Power ranking the 16 remaining teams in the women’s tournament

The frontrunners in the tournament are still the top-seeded teams, but lower-seeded teams are peaking at just the right time and anything can happen in March.

The tournament’s second round has come and gone with upsets galore busting everyone’s brackets. Ole Miss’s upset of No. 1 seeded Stanford shattered the last bracket.

The team field is a bit diverse with only two No. 1 seeds remaining in the tournament, South Carolina and Virginia Tech, respectively. Ole Miss, Miami, and Colorado shocked viewers when they took down their opponents and made it into the Sweet 16.

The frontrunners in the tournament are still the top-seeded teams, but lower-seeded teams are peaking at just the right time and anything can happen in March.

With that said College Sports Wire tried to rank the remaining teams in the Sweet 16.

March Sadness: Twitter reax to Iowa State’s abysmal shooting performance

“Iowa State owes the whole country an apology for making us watch this”

It was absolutely brutal to observe on Friday. The Iowa State Cyclones put on a clinic of what not to do in an NCAA Tournament matchup.

Iowa State shot a meager 2/21 from beyond the arc as they fell to Pitt 59-41. That breaks down to just 9.5% from three and 23.3% from the field on 14 of 60 shots made. It wasn’t much better from the charity stripe as they would sink just 11 of 19 attempts.

On the other side of the court, the Panthers shot 34.1% from the field with the same number of field goals, 14. However, Pitt was able to hit six of their 19 attempts from deep. The team would shoot 86.2% from the free throw line hitting 25 of 29 attempts.

Following the game, Twitter was alive and well. Check out some of the best tweets from during and after the game.