Good Cop

By Tristan Wade 

I’ve got to be honest. Iowa State men’s basketball has had better days.

The 4-14 record in conference play? The 13-17 record overall? Those aren’t great records, especially compared to years of the past, years that have seen the Cyclones win three of the last four Big 12 Conference tournaments.

But I have faith. The numbers and odds might be stacked against the Cyclones, but they’ve shown in the past the ability to step up when needed and that has become a part of Iowa State’s culture.

Iowa State’s first game is against Texas, a team that they lost to twice this year. The first time the two played, the Cyclones took the Longhorns to overtime, but ended up losing by four. The game at Texas was a 16-point loss, however.

The first matchup against Texas gives me hope that the Cyclones can rally together and win their first game Wednesday, but it would only get more difficult from there.

The Cyclones would go on to matchup against the Texas Tech Red Raiders, who are currently ranked No. 14 in the AP poll. Iowa State beat the Red Raiders at home by 18 back in January, when Texas Tech was ranked No. 18 in the country, so there’s a shot.

Also, if Iowa State fans show up in Kansas City, the Sprint Center could transform into “Hilton South” as it has been dubbed at times. The team might be able to channel that energy to perform like some Cyclone teams of the past that have won Big 12 Championships recently.

If the Cyclones beat Texas Tech, there’s a shot they can beat the next team, which would be a matchup with either Baylor or West Virginia. Iowa State beat both teams at home this season.

Making the assumption that the rest of the bracket goes with the seeds, the Cyclones’ next matchup would be Kansas in the championship game. If they get that far, are on a roll and the Cyclone fans are loud, I could see a big upset being a possibility.

With the injuries to Solomon Young and Nick Weiler-Babb, I don’t realistically see the Cyclones getting past the semifinals.

What I am saying though, is be optimistic. Iowa State has shown up to play in Big 12 Tournament’s of the past and while it might be a ginormous hill to climb, I’m saying there’s a chance.

Prediction:

Loss in the semifinals to West Virginia

Bad Cop

By Jack MacDonald

Tristan, my friend, you’ve got to be realistic here.

Iowa State has seen better days, and Wednesday is not going to be a good day. Well, even the Big 12 Championships won’t be a good week for the Cyclones and their fans. 

Back on Jan. 1, Iowa State was defeated by Dylan Osetkowski — I mean Texas — in overtime. The largest lead either team took was eight, which Iowa State had late in the second half. However, the Longhorns dug their horns deep in the Cyclones’ back and walked out of Hilton Coliseum with a win. It was Iowa State’s second loss in a run that would end at four losses to open Big 12 play. 

Then, when the two met in Austin, Texas, it was ugly. The Longhorns had the lead the entire way. It was as big as 15 (besides the 16 points at the end of regulation) and the Cyclones were paced by Nick Weiler-Babb, who is out for the season. 

The Cyclones are not only without Weiler-Babb, but also Solomon Young. It’s hard to make a run in the postseason when two of your top players are on the bench in street clothes. The only and very, very small chance the Cyclones can steal a win in Kansas City will stem from the uncertainty of Mo Bamba’s health, Texas’ superstar. 

Still, they have Dylan Osetkowski and his luscious locks/lovely cornrows.  

Texas’ Dylan Osetkowski, everybody. pic.twitter.com/skhl9VpOmC

— SB Nation (@SBNation) January 27, 2018

All this babbling and nonsense coming from my fingers can be summed up in three words: Iowa State loses.

While I know I said Texas is going to steamroll the Cyclones, as a bad cop, I’m only 99 percent bad. The other one percent is reserved for the slim chance that the Cyclones advance to the quarterfinals. However, if they advance to the second round, my bad cop percentage is back up to 100.

For any reason they do advance to play Texas Tech, the Cyclones have no shot at beating them — zip, nada, a big goose egg. The Red Raiders are healthy, Iowa State is not. Yes, the Cyclones beat Texas Tech in Hilton, but the Red Raiders got revenge in a blowout win. 

With the Cyclones shorthanded, I sense a repeat blowout if the Cyclones do advance to that game. 

So, to sum it up once again: Iowa State will not repeat as Big 12 Champions. 

Prediction:

Loss in first round to Texas