In one of the most surprising results of a week filled with shocking conference tourney outcomes, the Iowa State Cyclones(27-7) beat the Houston Cougars(30-4) by a score of 69-41, according to ESPN. The win allowed Iowa State to lock down their spot in the NCAA Tournament, though their tough strength of schedule and obvious success with that difficult of a schedule would have given them a spot in the Big Dance regardless. 

On their way to exposing Houston’s flaws to the nation, the Cyclones defeated the Kansas State Wildcats and the Baylor Bears, two other teams known to be very effective in the month of March. 

What is even more astonishing about the Cyclones’ huge win was that Tamin Lipsey, the centerpiece of the Cyclones’ team, only scored nine points, going 3-6 from the field and 1-3 from three-point range. 

Though Lipsey was unable to offensively take the game over for the Cyclones, the contributions from other key players such as Milan Momcilovic(scoring 18 points with six rebounds) and Keshon Gilbert(scoring 16 points) was enough to carry the Cyclones over the Cougars. The win without the heavy contribution from Lipsey demonstrates that the Cyclones have the depth to make it far in the NCAA Tourney, and the Cyclones could be a team to further shock the nation come Tourney time. 

Houston, on the other hand, was held to their lowest point total of the season, scoring only 41 points. Though their defense was still stiff(holding Iowa State to 69 points), their offensive difficulties proved too much for their defense to overcome. L.J. Cryer, the Cougs’ leading scorer, only was able to muster seven points against the Cyclones, and Jamal Shead was the team’s leading scorer with 10 points. Though their regular-season success still shines bright on their résumé, the Cougars cannot hope to make a deep Tournament run without offensive adjustments.