Randy Peterson
|
March 14, 2025
In my mind, Iowa State sent the NCAA Tournament’s Selection Committee a strong message Thursday. It’s probably not the one you think it is.
To me, coach T.J. Otzelberger’s teamproved to the Committee that having a banged-up backcourt needn’t always be a cause for concern, when deciding just where to seed the Cyclones basketball team he coaches so well.
Third seed going into the Big 12 tournament, where Iowa State went 1-1?
What Otzelberger’s team did, especially in the most entertaining first half you’ll ever see, Thursday against BYU, showed it can play a deep tournament run style of ball – even with stars Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert on the bench with injuries.
That’s what the Committee should take away from the Cyclones’ 96-92 loss against a team that’s now won nine games in a row, not the fact that two of their stars have questionable injury situations entering next week’s NCAA Tournament.
Maybe late-season injuries aren’t overly important when it comes to seeding before Sunday’s Selection Show reveal. But if they are even a minor talking point, all conversations in that regard should include the following:
** That Iowa State played its best ball of the season during a 53-point first half that included Curtis Jones scoring 17 consecutive points in just 98 seconds – and 22 in just short of 5 ½ minutes.
** That the rest Lipsey gets before next Thursday or Friday’s first NCAA Tournament game, likely will clear up any concern about his ouchy groin -- and that same rest certainly could extinguish at least some of the fire in Gilbert’s bothersome groin.
Third seed line when the 68-team field is revealed Sunday.
“This time of year, special things can happen when you maintain that commitment and focus to doing what you need to do,” Otzelberger told reporters after the game. “We want to get our guys healthy, but I'm also excited to get back to the practice court. I'm confident that our best is still in front of us.”
That rapid-fire explosion Jones put on while starring in the performance of his life, showed that, despite two stars sitting out, there’s still a ton of life and hope within a team that’s been through high, through not-so-high, and anything and everything between.
Jones’ barrage of greatness consisted of 6-for-6 shooting, mostly deep and in head-spinning transition. That Iowa State highest of high included Jones going five-for-five from 3-point range.
“I thought that was pretty crazy,” he said. “I felt like I couldn't miss at the time, so whatever I put up -- it just was going in.”
That 17 straight points from one locked-in player, and how quickly those baskets came, showed everyone what this team can do when even without two of their top players. And put this one in your statistical pipe and smoke it – Jones not only scored 22 first-half points, but had five more within the first minute after halftime.
Sure, it was an ultra-hot streak that’s not just snap-your-fingers sustainable. Nonetheless, it sent a message that, as wonderful as Otzelberger’s team is when it’s healthy, it also packs a powerful punch with starters sitting next to one another on the bench.
Iowa State was 10th in the KenPom rankings a couple hours after Thursday game, and ninth in the NCAA’s NET ratings.
"We've had some great moments, and we've had ones that could have been better," Otzelberger said. "When you have those experiences, it brings you closer together. I feel with our group right now -- there's a camaraderie, there's a bond, there's a connection, and they want to play for one another.”
Memo to NCAA Selection Committee: That’s something else that was impressive throughout Thursday’s game.
(Award-winning columnist Randy Peterson can be, and has been, reached at randypete4846@gmail.com or at any Okoboji-area beverage/food establishment between the hours of open and close.)