What Happened to Iowa State Cyclones Men's Basketball?
The Iowa State Cyclones Men's Basketball program has a rich history marked by periods of significant success, including a Final Four appearance in 1944 and multiple Big 12 Conference championships. After a period of rebuilding, the team has experienced a strong resurgence under Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger since 2021, consistently making NCAA Tournament appearances and achieving a program-high AP Poll ranking in the 2024-2025 season. As of March 2026, the Cyclones are a top-ranked team, competing in the Big 12 Tournament with key players earning national recognition.
Quick Answer
The Iowa State Cyclones Men's Basketball team is currently experiencing a highly successful period under Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger, who was hired in March 2021. As of March 12, 2026, the Cyclones hold a 26-6 overall record and a 12-6 Big 12 record, ranking No. 7 in the AP Poll. They recently secured a historic 91-42 victory over Arizona State in the Big 12 Tournament and are advancing to the quarterfinals, with star players Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic recognized as national award finalists.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
NCAA Final Four Appearance
The Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team made its deepest run in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Final Four.
Johnny Orr Era Begins
Johnny Orr took over as head coach, ushering in a period of increased competitiveness for the program.
First Conference Tournament Championship
Under coach Tim Floyd, Iowa State won its first conference tournament championship, defeating Kansas in the final Big Eight Tournament.
Big 12 Dominance and Elite Eight Run
The Cyclones, led by Larry Eustachy, achieved a program-record 32 wins, won both the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles, and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight.
Fred Hoiberg Hired as Head Coach
Former Cyclone player Fred Hoiberg returned to lead the program, bringing a new era of offensive prowess and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.
First Big 12 Tournament Title under Hoiberg
Iowa State defeated Baylor to win the Big 12 Tournament Championship, marking a significant achievement in the Hoiberg era.
T.J. Otzelberger Hired as Head Coach
T.J. Otzelberger, a former assistant, was hired to lead the Cyclones, initiating a rapid program turnaround after a challenging previous season.
Sweet Sixteen Appearance in First Year under Otzelberger
In a remarkable turnaround, Otzelberger led the Cyclones to a 22-13 record and a Sweet Sixteen berth in the NCAA Tournament in his debut season.
Big 12 Tournament Championship and Sweet Sixteen
Iowa State won the Big 12 Tournament Championship, dominating Houston in the final, and later advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.
T.J. Otzelberger Contract Extension
Iowa State extended Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger's contract through the 2031-2032 season, recognizing his significant impact on the program's resurgence.
Highest AP Poll Ranking in Program History
The Cyclones reached No. 2 in the AP Poll during the 2024-2025 season, marking the highest ranking in program history.
Regular Season Finale Win and Big 12 Tournament Seeding
Iowa State defeated Arizona State 86-65, concluding their regular season with a 25th win and clinching the No. 5 seed for the 2026 Big 12 Tournament.
Historic Big 12 Tournament Victory
The No. 7 Cyclones crushed Arizona State 91-42 in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament, marking the largest win in the tournament's history.
Players Named National Award Finalists
Joshua Jefferson was named a finalist for the Karl Malone Award, and Milan Momcilovic was named a finalist for the Julius Erving Award, recognizing their outstanding performance in the 2025-2026 season.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Iowa State Cyclones Men's Basketball program boasts a long and storied history, dating back to its first season in 1907. Early successes included a memorable run to the NCAA Final Four in 1944, marking the program's deepest NCAA Tournament advancement. The team has seen various eras of prominence, including the Johnny Orr era (1980–1994) and the Tim Floyd era (1994–1998), which brought the program its first conference tournament championship in 1996.
A significant peak occurred under Larry Eustachy, with the 1999-2000 season setting a school record for wins (32-5), securing outright Big 12 regular season and tournament championships, and reaching the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. The Fred Hoiberg era (2010–2015) also saw consistent success, with multiple NCAA Tournament berths and back-to-back Big 12 Tournament titles in 2014 and 2015.
The program underwent a significant turnaround with the hiring of T.J. Otzelberger as head coach on March 18, 2021, following a challenging 2-22 season. Otzelberger, who had previous stints as an assistant at Iowa State, quickly revitalized the team, leading them to a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the 2022 NCAA Tournament in his first year. This resurgence continued, with the Cyclones making the NCAA Tournament in each of Otzelberger's first four years, including another Sweet Sixteen run in 2024 and winning the Big 12 Tournament Championship that same year.
The 2024-2025 season further solidified Iowa State's standing, as they finished 25-10, reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and achieved their highest-ever AP Poll ranking at No. 2. In February 2025, Otzelberger's impact was recognized with a contract extension through the 2031-2032 season. His tenure is characterized by a strong defensive identity, with teams consistently ranking in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense.
As of March 12, 2026, the Iowa State Cyclones are having another stellar season. They hold an impressive 26-6 overall record and a 12-6 record in the highly competitive Big 12 Conference, placing them at No. 7 in the AP Poll. The team recently commenced their 2026 Big 12 Tournament campaign with a dominant 91-42 victory over Arizona State, marking the largest win in Big 12 Tournament history. Key players like Joshua Jefferson, a finalist for the Karl Malone Award, and Milan Momcilovic, a finalist for the Julius Erving Award, highlight the individual talent thriving under Otzelberger's leadership. The Cyclones are currently preparing for their Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal matchup against Texas Tech.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Iowa State Cyclones Men's Basketball made different choices?