Bracketology Breakdown: Iowa State Cyclones Clinging to At-Large Bid

People are noticing what the Iowa State men’s basketball team has been doing, ranking high nationally in scoring, rebounding, and assists overall. But the Cyclones haven’t been doing themselves any favors, struggling to get a big win on the road and as of late, not winning away from Hilton Coliseum at all. Still, most bracketology experts have the team in along with five other Big 12 teams.

Feb 9, 2013; Manhattan, KS, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Korie Lucious (13) controls the ball during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum. Wildcats won 79-70. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has them ranked a little higher than average, dropping them from an eighth seed before the weekend down to 10th in the Midwest region. He squares them up against seventh-ranked San Diego State. In this region, Gonzaga would be the 2-seed Iowa State would face in the second round if they advanced; Indiana is the 1-seed.

Our favorite bracketologist, CBS’ Jerry Palm, still has Iowa State as one of the last four in along with Indiana State, St. Mary’s, and Butler. They would have a play-in game against St. Mary’s to reach the 12-seed in the Midwest region. Michigan holds the 1-seed and Arizona has the 2-seed. Let’s be honest, after looking at Palm’s bracket last week it only made sense that the Cyclones would be out. But it’s nice to see that he accepts them as one of the better mid-major teams out there.

Both bracketologists, along with the majority of others, have Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Baylor all in the NCAA Tournament along with the Cyclones.

Iowa State will have to play this week without the potential to move up, facing a Texas team on the road that gets their best player, Myck Kabongo, back and will host TCU on Saturday afternoon.

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