Tag: Iowa State Cyclones

Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball getting back to enjoying basketball

This season has been up and down Sooners which is why Jennie Baranczyk has to remind them to enjoy playing the game they love.

There might not be a hotter team in all of women’s college basketball than the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners have gone from being out of the projected [autotag]NCAA Tournament[/autotag] field to being ranked and atop the [autotag]Big 12[/autotag] conference.

The Sooners currently sit at 16-6 and 10-1 in conference play. It wasn’t that long ago the Sooners were being upset at home by Southern to fall to 6-5 on the season. At that point, it looked like a lost season but [autotag]Jennie Baranczyk[/autotag] has been able to pull something out of her team to salvage the season.

It resulted in another win Wednesday night against the TCU Horned Frogs 72-55. Baranczyk talked about getting back to enjoying playing basketball. “None of us really felt great but then you look at we had 22 assists to 12 turnovers and we feel like crap,” Baranczyk said. “We’ve had that number reversed and we’re like, ‘Okay, we’re getting closer.’ You have 38 points in the paint. There were some really good things and sometimes when you get to the place that you are at, especially in February, especially today at home and you feel some type of way, you start nitpicking and you stop enjoying. I think that’s one of the things we did a little bit. We started getting a little bit too much nitpicky on some things and so just enjoying.”

They’ve also become a very fun team to watch as well. They have a chance to continue their winning ways this time on the road as they take on the [autotag]Iowa State Cyclones[/autotag] on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

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No. 9 Sooners fall on the road to TCU Horned Frogs 80-71

Recap of No. 9 Oklahoma’s loss in their second Big 12 conference game. The Sooners lost 80-71 to TCU.

Wednesday night was a pivotal moment in Oklahoma’s season. While it didn’t go Oklahoma’s way, the Sooners got that first road game experience. Wednesday became the second time Oklahoma has tasted defeat all year as the TCU Horned Frogs upset the Sooners 80-71.

Oklahoma entered the game off their first win in Big 12 play after beating a tough Iowa State team at home on Saturday. That same Iowa State team turned right around and beat previously unbeaten Houston on Tuesday evening.

Oklahoma has played many games on neutral courts, but the Sooners’ trip to Fort Worth was anything but inviting.

Porter Moser’s team opened the game trading baskets with TCU before the Frogs pushed out to a 27-22 lead midway through the first half. The Sooners were paced early by [autotag]Milos Uzan[/autotag] and [autotag]Sam Godwin[/autotag]. Godwin had seven first-half points. Uzan filled the stat sheet with six points, six rebounds, and six assists in the first 20 minutes.

Foul trouble and missed shots disrupted Oklahoma’s offensive rhythm in the first half, but the Sooners hung around enough to get into the locker room down 40-34.

Jameer Nelson Jr. and Emmanuel Miller paced the Horned Frogs’ scoring efforts in the first half. Nelson had nine of his 13 in the first half, while Emmanuel Miller poured in 10 of his 27 during the first 20 minutes.

Oklahoma’s 11 fouls and 12 turnovers were the story before the break.

[autotag]Javian McCollum[/autotag] came out fighting as he knocked in back-to-back threes to tie the game at 40 immediately after halftime.

From there, things began to get dicey for Oklahoma. The fouls continued to pile up, and the Frogs never looked back.

The Horned Frogs answered with seven unanswered points and began to run away from the Sooners, pushing the lead to as many as 17 points late in the game. The Sooners fought back to make the score more respectable, but the proof was in the pudding. TCU seized control of the game in the final 20 minutes.

Cold-shooting couldn’t mitigate Oklahoma’s foul trouble. Le’tre Darthard was 0-6 from three, and Rivaldo Soares was 0-3 from behind the arch. The Sooners shot just 28 percent as a team from three, which will never get it done in high-major basketball.

Milkos Uzan flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 13 points, ten assists, and seven boards. John Hugley scored 14 off the bench, and Javian McCollum ended with 17 points to lead all Sooners in scoring.

It won’t get any easier for Oklahoma. They won’t be shell-shocked by a road atmosphere come Saturday as they make a trip to Lawrence, Kan., to take on the Kansas Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas lost to Big 12 newcomer UCF just before the Oklahoma and TCU game tipped off. Both teams will be desperate to get off the mat and not have to stew for the next week amid a two-game losing streak.

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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.

Purdue and Houston’s historic upsets are more mind-boggling than you think

Purdue and Houston’s same-day losses were so unusual that this basketball stat doesn’t seem real.

Hold on to your seats, college basketball fans. The top two teams in the country just went down, and it happened in historic fashion.

In case you missed it, a lot happened on Tuesday. The Purdue Boilermaker’s seven-game win streak and No.1 ranking seemingly went up in smoke behind an absolutely gutsy effort from the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Nebraska shot what felt like hundreds of 3-point shots (it was actually 14 shots on 61 percent shooting — WOW) and went on a gnarly 14-2 run in the second half that unraveled anything Purdue tried to do after.

What’s more, it was the second time this season that Purdue has lost when being the top team in the country and the first time that starting forward Trey-Kaufman-Renn was held scoreless. WOOF.

If that wasn’t enough, remember in December when we told you that some undefeated teams were still left? Not anymore.

The No.2 ranked Houston Cougars were also upset.

The Iowa State men’s basketball team came to play. They forced 12 turnovers in the first half and, by halftime, were up 10 points. Houston came roaring back in the second half and managed to trim away at the scoreboard, gaining its first lead with just under four minutes to play.

But, OH, BOY. A massive and silky fadeaway bucket and clutch free throws from Iowa State freshman Milan Momcilovic sealed the game. Amazingly, that was Iowa State’s seventh win against top-10 teams within the last two years.

Additionally, per ESPN Stats & Information, it was the first time since February 6, 2016, that the top-two teams in men’s college basketball lost to unranked opponents on the same day and only the third time that it happened within the last 40 years. WHEW.

Rivaldo Soares’ key save helps lead to Oklahoma Sooners win

Rivaldo Soares’ effort keys huge three-pointer in win over Iowa State.

With about 6:50 left in the game, the Oklahoma Sooners held a three-point lead after an [autotag]Iowa State Cyclones[/autotag] jumper. The Cyclones kept battling back to keep the game close.

The Sooners needed a play to be made by someone. John Hugley got the ball in the corner and tried to throw it to a cutting Sooner. The ball was tipped up in the air, and out of nowhere [autotag]Rivaldo Soares[/autotag] caught the ball, turned, and flung it out to [autotag]Milos Uzan[/autotag] all in one motion, who sunk the three pointer.

It was plays like that that were huge in the Sooners’ win over the Cyclones. But those are also the plays the Sooners have made all season long. It’s why they are so fun to watch because you never know who is going to make the hustle play.

Uzan and Soares broke down that play at the end of the game on Saturday. “Rivaldo is strictly about winning, and he’s making winning plays,” Uzan said. “So, I think that he knows the work that I put in, and he knows that I’m a capable shooter. I think him just playing hard and fighting for rebounds, fighting for extra possessions, and then spraying it out to shooters is just how you win games.”

“Anytime I see Los wide open, I give him the ball,” Soares said. “The kid can shoot it.”

Soares led the Sooners with nine rebounds off the bench finished. He just constantly makes winning plays in a reserve role for this team. They are going to need more of it as they navigate through [autotag]Big 12[/autotag] play.

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‘I’m liking the crowd right now,’: Sooners’ players recognizing the fans impact

It hasn’t always been the case but Sooner Nation was out in full support for the opening Big 12 game and the players took notice.

The Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball team opened conference play with a win over the Iowa State Cyclones. The Cyclones came into the game sitting at 11-2 on the year.

The Sooners led for just about the whole game, only losing the lead twice briefly late in the game. After losing the lead the final time with 4:10 left, the Sooners went on a 7-0 run to regain the lead and never looked back.

The Sooners shot 47.1% from the field and 40% from three in the game. [autotag]Milos Uzan[/autotag] scored 12 points on 5 of 9 from the field. The Sooners also got a great boost from the crowd.

It was a packed house at the Lloyd Noble Center which hasn’t always been the case in years past. It’s been a criticism of Oklahoma’s basketball program.

Uzan spoke after the game about how much the crowd meant to them on that 7-0 run and closing out the game. “I’m liking the crowd right now,” Uzan said. “I’m thinking the more we keep winning, the more they’ll show up. I like this.”

The Sooners now head on the road for the next two games. They head to TCU to take on the Horned Frogs on Wednesday night and then to Kansas to take on the Jayhawks on Saturday afternoon.

But this team has earned the crowd’s participation when they return home and for the rest of the season. They’ve been playing a really good brand of basketball and will need the crowd’s support the rest of the way.

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Oklahoma Sooners open Big 12 play with a 71-63 win over the Iowa State Cyclones

The Oklahoma Sooners opened Big 12 play with a 71-63 win over the Iowa State Cyclones to move to 13-1 on the season.

The Oklahoma Sooners opened their final year of Big 12 play with a 71-63 win over the Iowa State Cyclones in Norman.

[autotag]Javian McCollum[/autotag] led the way for the Sooners with 15 points on 6 of 16 from the field.

It took just under two minutes for either team to register their first points of the game, which set the tone for defensive battle Saturday evening. That McCollum three put Oklahoma in front to start the game and they wouldn’t trail again until there were less than five minutes to play.

After leading for nearly the entire game, the Sooners were forced to respond as the Cyclones took a one-point lead with 4:47 to play in the game. And respond, they did. Oklahoma went on to outscore the Cyclones 16-7 over the remainder of the game.

The final stretch saw the Sooners make several defensive stops to keep the Cyclones from coming back to tie the game. And it was their free throw shooting that put the game away. Oklahoma was 7 of 8 from the line in the final 1:23 to seal the game.

Oklahoma shot 47% from the field and 40% from the three-point line and held Iowa State to 43% shooting and 19% from three-point range. Though the Sooners lost the rebounding battle and the turnover battle, they were able to keep Iowa State from taking advantage. Oklahoma also held the edge in fast break points.

In addition to McCollum’s big game, Milos Uzan had 12 points, four rebounds, and five assists. [autotag]Le’Tre Darthard[/autotag] had 11 points off the bench, shooting 3 of 4 from three-point range. [autotag]Sam Godwin[/autotag] was the other Sooner in double figures, scoring 10 points on 5 of 8 from the field. Godwin also had six rebounds in the win.

The Oklahoma Sooners moved to 13-1 on the season and 1-0 in Big 12 play. They’ll have a chance to make some noise with a pair of road trips to TCU on Wednesday and to Allen Fieldhouse next Saturday to face the Kansas Jayhawks. The Horned Frogs took the Jayhawks to the bring on Saturday, falling short in a controversial 83-81 loss in Lawrence.

The Sooners are off to a fantastic start, but these next two games will have big-time Big 12 title and NCAA tournament seeding implications.

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Oklahoma Sooners moving up in latest bracketology from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi

After a big win over Arkansas, the Oklahoma Sooners earned a big jump in ESPN’s latest Bracketology.

The Oklahoma Sooners are off to a fantastic start on the hardwood in the 2023-2024 season. They’re 9-0 and have had some significant, resume-building wins as Oklahoma searches for their first NCAA tournament bid in the Porter Moser era.

They’ve made significant headway toward that goal through nonconference play. With Big 12 play looming, it was imperative for the Sooners to perform well in the nonconference slate, and they’ve done just that. Notable wins over Iowa, USC, Providence, and Arkansas have Moser and the Sooners on the right track with four games remaining before Big 12 play opens against Iowa State.

They’ll face a significant test when they go to Charlotte, North Carolina, to take on the No. 9 Tar Heels in the Jumpman Invitational. But they’ve put the work in this season and look like one of the better teams in the country this season.

Oklahoma’s recent wins over Providence and Arkansas gave them a big bump in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. That jump to No. 12 in the nation was followed by another significant bump in the latest bracketology from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi.

Here’s where the Big 12 landed in Lunardi’s latest projections for the NCAA tournament.

Social Media reacts to Iowa getting destroyed in Cy-Hawk game

The Iowa Hawkeyes were completely outmatched in their loss to the Iowa State Cyclones, and fans voiced their displeasure on social media.

There are few worse ways to lose in Ames than being played off the court. From the first minute, the Hawkeyes were outmatched in this contest. Iowa State wasn’t just the better team in terms of skill, they were far more physically dominant. The Cyclones punched Fran McCaffery’s squad in the mouth right away and didn’t stop swinging the rest of the game. The Cyclones won 90-65.

So yeah, blown out by Iowa State. That’s two straight performances by the Hawkeyes in big games that were pretty horrific. I know I said a few games ago that this Hawkeyes team is going to be fun, but they sure don’t look so. The entire team, save a few young players looking to make their mark, look scared of the big moment. Even the experienced players still look like they aren’t ready. It’s the fundamentals, or lack thereof, that’s killing this team. Tonight, Iowa looked like a straight-up bad team. Maybe it will get better, maybe they’ll form an identity, but it’s not looking good right now. Many on social media saw it the same way, and here are the best reactions to the loss.

Iowa State’s Bill Fennelly jokingly suggested food as a way to slow down Caitlin Clark

Bill Fennelly gets an “A” for creativity.

Somebody check on Bill Fennelly. That man might need a hug.

Let’s be honest. It’s hard to stop a freight train, especially when that train comes in human form via the name Caitlin Clark. She’s going to wreck whatever is in her path.

Whether that is pulling up from downtown Iowa City for a dagger 3-point shot or coming to your arena to terrorize you, Clark is going to have her way. Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly seemingly knew that.

It’s why he jokingly asked if there was any possibility that Clark could not be on the court Wednesday when his team faced her.