Iowa State Basketball Makes Debut in AP Poll

Slowly but surely, Iowa State is knocking on the door in the college basketball top 25 polls. They receive more votes in the Coaches Poll and finally make their debut in the AP Poll.

Jan 16, 2013; Ames IA, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers Gary Browne (14) is tied up by Iowa State Cyclones Georges Niang (31) in the second half at Hilton Coliseum. Iowa State beat West Virginia 69-67. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

The Cyclones received a total of five votes by the coaches, beating out Illinois and tying UCLA who were both ranked in the top 25 last week. They find themselves tied for 33rd and will need plenty more votes to crack into the top 25. Miami (FL) is the first team out with 49 votes.

Over in the AP Poll, Iowa State received three total votes, tying with North Carolina. Oklahoma State, who received seven votes in the Coaches Poll, didn’t receive a single vote in this poll.

Kansas and Kansas State continue to be the class of the Big 12, creating their pivotal matchup this week as one team can put their first step toward winning the conference title. The Jayhawks received seven first-place votes and tied Syracuse for 3rd place in the AP Poll, up from fourth place last week. The Wildcats jumped from 16th to 11th place.

In the Coaches Poll, Kansas has reached second place with eight first-place votes, up from fourth place last week. Kansas State jumps from 18th to 13th.

The Jayhawks take on the Wildcats in Manhattan, Kansas, tomorrow night with tipoff set at 7:00 p.m. CT. Iowa State will have a matchup with Kansas State this Saturday after taking on Texas Tech this Wednesday.

Brian Spaen is the lead editor of Clones Confidential. Get more Cyclones coverage by following us on Twitter.