While the 2024-25 college basketball season is still multiple months away, it’s never too early to discuss the NCAA Tournament field and possible championship contenders.
On Thursday, in a recent update from CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, T. J. Otzelberger and the Iowa State Cyclones were listed as a dark-horse final-four candidates.
“The Cyclones are currently ranked fifth in the ROTHSTEIN 45, but they’re not universally viewed as a Final Four contender,” Rothstein said. “That shouldn’t be the case. Iowa State returns four double-figure scorers — Keshon Gilbert, Tamin Lipsey, Curtis Jones, and Milan Momcilovic — from last year’s team that won 29 games and reached the Sweet 16 while adding two quality transfers upfront in Dishon Jackson (Charlotte) and Joshua Jefferson (Saint Mary’s). Kansas, Houston, Baylor, and Arizona will get plenty of attention entering the Big 12 this season, but T.J. Otzelberger’s squad can stand toe-to-toe with any of those squads.”
In 2023, Iowa State finished second in Big 12 Conference play with a league record of 13-5, trailing only the top-ranked Houston Cougars. The Cyclones retained most of their production from the previous season, which finished with less than 10 losses overall.
Iowa State advanced to the Sweet 16 with wins over South Dakota State and Washington State in the opening two rounds before getting bounced by No. 3 Illinois. While it’s too early to tell which teams will wind up as the nation’s best, Iowa State definitely has a case to make the claim.
