As the great rap artist Tupac Shakur once said, “Same stuff, different day.” Actually, that’s the PG version of what Shakur philosophized.

I’ve said it before: I don’t understand this men’s basketball team. They are like that crazy ex everyone has. One minute you are having an absolute blast with them, and the next you are throwing cell phones against the wall in frustration. It’s enough to drive someone into therapy sessions alongside Tom Cruise, Ron Artest and Coral from the Real World. Some like this type of emotional roller coaster; I’d rather ride the Teacups.

Call me conservative, but I like to at least have a slight clue if my team is likely to win or lose before a game. With this group of Cyclones, you have no idea. At times, I question if I should switch allegiances and become a fan of Longwood University. (Please avoid all temptation; the Longwood Lancers are a legit team.)

The Longwood fan club knows before tip-off they won’t win – they’ve won only four games this year. This, I assume, makes life less stressful.

The Cyclones, meanwhile, have left me as stressed as an eighth-grade girl when she realizes Johnny won’t go to the mixer with her. Here’s why: In five of Iowa State’s 11 losses they have been the favorite, according to Vegas. In five of their 14 wins they have been the underdog. This doesn’t even include the game Saturday, which Iowa State should have won. That’s what makes things so frustrating.

And it’s not like this team is getting run out of the gym in those defeats. This adds to the anxiety.

The Cyclones have been ahead or tied in the second half of every game, except for Texas and at Kansas. (They were within one of Texas and four at Kansas at times in the second half.) Think about that for a second. That doesn’t happen to teams with 11 losses. I keep looking over my shoulder, expecting the Cubs bullpen to somehow be involved.

They have the talent to have been in position to win every single game, which underscores the irritation. Blame the big men, blame the coaching staff and blame Stinson and Blalock if you feel so desired, but the point remains that this team, at times, has been as good as every team they’ve played. Then why does this team have 11 losses? Why do the Cyclones close games like LaTroy Hawkins? I wish I knew. I bet Wayne Morgan wishes he knew, as well.

The old theory is guards win games down the stretch. Iowa State still has one of the best duos in the country. Curtis Stinson and Will Blalock are outstanding and their performance for 38 minutes Saturday was terrific. They combined for 46 points and 16 assists, yet only had five turnovers.

However, the last two minutes and their 4-of-10 effort from the free-throw line will overshadow everything.

With eight conference losses, Iowa State will no longer receive an at-large berth to the NCAA tournament. Does that mean this team won’t make the dance? Not quite.

Four days, four games and four wins in Dallas can still get them in. With this group, you can’t rule anything out. There’s no team they can’t beat and there’s no team they can’t lose to. Well, except for Longwood.

– Brent Blum is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Urbandale.