Men's Bracketology: 2026 NCAA Tournament
espn.com/espn/feature/story/…. 🏀🏀 There are wins that get a team into the NCAA tournament, and there are wins that change a season. Iowa State managed both in one afternoon.
Not that this year's Cyclones were ever going to be a bubble team, but what they did to Purdue on the road in Mackey Arena will certainly change the trajectory of their season. The Cyclones have never been a 1-seed -- twice a No. 2, in 2000 and 2001 -- but they're now firmly in the top line conversation after a 23-point blowout of the previously unbeaten and presumptive 1-seed Boilermakers. Iowa State also is one of only eight unbeaten teams remaining, alongside fellow top seeds Michigan, Duke and Arizona.
Of course, there's no way of knowing how the Big 12 winds will blow and where the Cyclones will land on Selection Sunday. What we do know is that this team, especially with Tamin Lipsey back, could hang a Final Four banner for the first time since 1944.