It seems like since the minute Missouri bolted for the SEC, Iowa State has stepped into the role of Kansas’ biggest rival in the conference. The Jayhawks and Cyclones have matched up for some memorable high-stakes battles over the last few seasons, and Monday night was no different. #14 Iowa State laid the wood to #4 Kansas in the second half en route to an 85-72 victory in Ames. Monte’ Morris was equal parts poise and electricity, leading the Cyclones with 20 points, nine assists and zero turnovers. Here are three key takeaways from what was a huge win for Iowa State, and perhaps more importantly in a crowded Big 12 race, the Jayhawks’ third straight loss on the road.
Georges Niang And The Cyclones Delivered An Inspired Second Half Performance Monday Night (Photo: USAT Sports)
The Big 12 race opens up for Oklahoma. While one can’t easily pick against Kansas winning the Big 12 until someone else knocks them from its perch, the Jayhawks’ margin for error is thinning by the game. They’re just one game behind Oklahoma, West Virginia and Baylor in the loss column, but they still have trips to Norman and Waco left on the docket. The Sooners continue to be the biggest threat to end The Streak not just because of the strength of their team, but also because they’re 5-2 and have already paid visits to Kansas, Iowa State and Baylor. Meanwhile, Kansas still has to make those trips to Oklahoma and Baylor. The Jayhawks are still one of the best teams in the conference, but unless they get some help in the form of an underdog or two beating Oklahoma, their quest for a 12th straight conference title could hinge on their February 13 trip to the Lloyd Noble Center.
Kansas’ defense continues to be an issue. Iowa State rarely hurts for offense, but they put together one of their best halves of the season in outscoring Kansas 49-29 after halftime. A lightning-quick 11-0 run put the Cyclones ahead for good, a spurt that put on display some familiar issues from the Jayhawks. Down the stretch, KU rushed its offense, lost track of shooters in half-court sets, and failed to get back on defense in time to contain Iowa State’s explosive transition offense. It’s a lot to ask of any defense to completely eliminate spurts on the road, but the key is to stop them at 7-0 or 8-3 instead of letting them balloon to insurmountable deficits. For the third time in their last four road games, Kansas showed an inability to do just that.
Iowa State jumps back into the fray at the top of the conference. The Big 12 schedule doesn’t offer many breathers, but the Cyclones began last week facing an especially rough stretch: hosting Oklahoma, traveling to TCU, hosting Kansas, traveling to Texas A&M for the Big 12/SEC Challenge, then returning to conference play with a home game against West Virginia. There’s still work to be done, but Monday’s win gave the Cyclones a 3-0 start to that gauntlet, indicating that they’re on their way back to consideration as a top-four seed after the shaky 1-3 start to conference play.