PETE: It’s too soon to label this the best Iowa State men’s basketball since the early 2000s

I don’t know if this is the best of the previous Iowa State basketball teams T.J. Otzelberger has coached. It’s such a small sample size – just three seasons, 105 games, and the first 20-game Big 12 Conference schedule still to come. Still, it’s a conversation that very well could become pertinent, as the Cyclones head into conference games.

I want to see how this team handles adversity, before following through on my thought that yes, this very well could be the best Iowa State team since the 1999-2000 Elite Eight team lost against eventual NCAA Tournament champion Michigan.

Tamin Lipsey and his injures, you counter, about my adversity comment? Yes, the junior guard has played hurt – but this program is used to playing through the former Ames High School star’s injuries. I contend he’d play with a busted leg – and that he’d play well. He’s the toughest dude on the team.

Did you see the play he made with about 11 minutes left in Sunday’s 99-72 victory against Morgan State at Hilton Coliseum?

After diving for a loose ball, Tamin found himself seated on the floor near Iowa State’s bench. He was in a scramble for possession, then somehow tossed the ball backwards to Curtis Jones for a long 3-point basket.

So as Otz’ team heads into the Big 12 grind Dec. 30 at Colorado with 10 wins – and a loss against top five Auburn on a buzzer-beating tip-in by Johni Broome -- in 11 games, we can wonder all we want if this the best team T.J. has led.

I wondered that a time or two myself while watching most of the previous 10 games. I wondered while watching Sunday’s non-con wrap-up.

Last-second loss against Auburn. True road win at Iowa. A 28-point victory in the Maui Invitational against the same Colorado team the Cyclones face next, but I’m not finished.

Better and deeper inside players than I’ve seen in a while. Dynamic players on the wing. A three-point shooting percentage of 35%. Wins by an average of 26 points a game. Highest ranking since being third in the Jan. 21, 1957 AP poll.

Best Iowa State basketball team since (you fill in in the blank)?

I read somewhere that Iowa State will be favored to win all games its between now and the third week of February, to which I respond:

Of course it’s legitimately possible. Otzelberger’s team could/should/will be favored in at least 14 of those 15 games before playing at Houston, in their regular-season’s one-and-only clash of two of the nation’s best teams. But all 15?

The last time Iowa State had a run(s) like that was Larry Eustachy’s 1999-00 that went 32-5, won the Big 12 regular season and conference tournament, then lost against the Spartans in a game with a Final Four-like feel.

(That team, and the 2000-01 team, return for a first-time reunion and halftime recognition when Iowa State entertains Baylor on Jan. 4 at Hilton Coliseum.)

A 25-1 season record heading to Houston on Saturday Feb. 22? That’d be special, but stuff happens – especially during a long and grueling season that includes facing competition in one of the nation’s best men’s basketball conferences.

I don’t use just the Associated Press (media) or the coaches’ polls when analyzing just who’s better than someone else in basketball. My main go-to is the Ken Pom rankings, which is updated multiple times daily.

** According to the most recent Ken Pom after Sunday’s win, Iowa State was sitting at No. 5 – currently better than anyone it’ll playbefore that Houston game

** Kelvin Sampson’s Houston team, by the way, was fourth.

** The Cyclones’ three Quad-1 wins (per the NCAA’s Net rankings) on Sunday was more than anyone on their schedule, but that also will change.

So sure, using all that reasoning, Iowa State probably shouldn’t lose another regular-season game in a while – which we all know is a bunch of hogwash.

I’m not saying it can’t happen. Certainly, it can, but at least four red-flag opponents remain before facing Houston. At least.

Jan. 4 vs. Baylor at Hilton Coliseum: 18th in the Pom rankings.

Jan. 15 vs. Kansas at Hilton Coliseum: 10th in Pom.

Jan. 18 at West Virginia: The Darian DeVries-coached team is 45th in Pom, but winning in Morgantown never is a given.

Feb. 3 at Kansas: We all know what can happen in the museum also known as Allen Fieldhouse.

Translated: Buckle up for what promises to be another wild ride through the Big 12.