They’re fifth in the nation with an average of 87.2 points per game. They grab 42.8 rebounds per game, good enough to be slated 10th nationally. They’re also second in the country in assists per game, and 39th in field goal percentage.
It’s not the No. 1 University of Arizona Wildcats, or traditional powers like Duke University, University of Kentucky, or Ohio State University.
They’re the Cyclones of Iowa State University.
While the team from Ames, Iowa, has not exactly shocked the nation with the best start in program’s history, it surely has been a bit of a surprise. En route to a current No. 14 ranking in the AP poll, the Cyclones have knocked off then-No. 7 University of Michigan and instate rival and then-No. 23 University of Iowa. They also proved themselves by hanging in there and pulling out close victories over Brigham Young University and Boise State University, while blowing out Auburn University.
The Cyclones beat Boise State, 70-66, on Dec. 25 to win the Diamond Head Classic in Hawaii. They have just one remaining nonconference game – a home tilt against Northern Illinois University – before they begin the gauntlet of play in the Big 12.
And Iowa State, if anyone, is proving that league play will be brutal this year.
Sure, there’s the usual University of Kansas and Oklahoma State University. But Baylor University has garnered a No. 11 ranking in the polls thanks to a 10-1 start and a win over then-No. 3 Kentucky, and University of Texas surprised many by beating University of North Carolina a week ago.
University of Oklahoma, albeit not playing the caliber of teams that Kansas and Oklahoma State have been playing, is 10-1. The Sooners’ only loss is to then-No. 1 Michigan State University.
Five teams in the Big 12 have ten wins – and none of them are the Jayhawks of Kansas that are powered by stars Andrew Wiggins and Perry Ellis.
So, the Cyclones have a lot in front of them. What they have done so far is remarkable, without a doubt, but their true tests lie in the coming months.
After opening Big 12 play at Texas Tech University, Iowa State has consecutive games against Baylor, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. The Cyclones then host Kansas State University, before having another stretch with Kansas, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State all in a row. They wrap up the regular season with a trip to Baylor and a home game against Oklahoma State.
It’s difficult enough playing those teams, but the games being back-to-back-to-back like this will be a true challenge of the Cyclones’ determination and mental toughness. For a team that has only played one road game thus far this season, simply going on the road to some of these environments will be great tests of composure and calmness.
Playing at home, though, has proves to be a great advantage for Iowa State. The Cyclone faithful went berserk after beating Michigan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LWhZiA0w64
Looking at statistics, it’s tough to find an area for the Cyclones to improve upon. If anything, they could cause more disruption in their opponent’s passing lanes. Iowa State is currently averaging just 5.27 steals per game, which falls in at 278th in the country.
Senior guard DeAndre Kane, a transfer from Marshall University, and freshman guard Matt Thomas lead the Iowa State backcourt. Kane has been stellar, but Thomas is still feeling his way into the season. He’s averaging 7.8 points but has not reached double-figures since Dec. 2.
They’ll face some good backcourts in league play, but the Cyclones will have to continue playing well underneath as well. The size of Baylor and Kansas present some formidable challenges, so maintaining a post presence will be a key to success.
The early season has been impressive in Ames. But is it time to prepare the conference championship banner to hang next year?
As Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast, my friend.” The dog days of the Big 12 await.