Ever get the feeling that you’re dreaming and that at any given moment you could wake up? Guess what, Cyclone fans, this is no dream — this is reality.

Both the men’s and the women’s basketball teams are tops this season in the Big 12 Conference.

For the women’s team, this is not terribly shocking. Bill Fennelly’s charges had all of their big-time players back from last year’s team, which finished second in the Big 12 Conference tournament and made it to the Elite Eight in the big dance.

It was still tough going, though, as all eyes were on the ‘Clones, who were picked by many publications as pre-season title contenders. To take on all comers when you’re the favorite is often more difficult than being the underdog.

The men’s team, on the other hand, was not picked to make it out of the Big 12 cellar this season. After a mediocre 15-15 effort last year, this season looked like yet another rebuilding year.

But thanks to Marcus Fizer’s amazing adjustment in attitude and skill level, Michael Nurse’s sudden discovery of intestinal fortitude and Jamaal Tinsley’s flashy play at the point, the Cyclone men were nearly unbeatable, winning many of their games with raw emotion and a drive to win that could be described as collectively Jordanesque.

The fun is without a doubt not over yet. The big games are still to come, with the Big 12 tournament playing out this week and the NCAA tournament kicking off in two weeks.

Both of these teams are capable of winning their respective conference tourney titles and going deep into the NCAA brackets.

So take some time now to enjoy it. Go ahead and brag a little, especially if you’ve got any friends sporting black and gold.

These teams might very well be just as good next season or maybe even better, but athletic success at the college level is fleeting, except for those few powerhouses who accept nothing less than a national title every year.

Our ISU basketball teams are not chock full of McDonald’s All-Americans and blue chip recruits. We don’t have too many millionaire boosters or banners flying from the ceiling of Hilton Coliseum.

So, all you Cyclone fans out there who have ever had any thoughts of road tripping to Kansas City to watch the Big 12 tournament or taking off on a whim to watch the ‘Clones battle their way to a national crown, it’s time to cash in your fantasies and take part in a little chunk of ISU history.

Because it just flat out doesn’t get any better than this.

Iowa State Daily Editorial Board: Sara Ziegler, Greg Jerrett, Kate Kompas, Carrie Tett and David Roepke.