High Level Loss

The Cyclones did everything but win tonight. Missing the front end of a two-shot foul was important. 

The 2000 team lost in Boulder in an OT forced by a 60 foot 3. Tonight was the same. 

The difference is that Arizona is a lot better than that Buffaloes squad. 

Our Cyclones can play high level basketball on the road against quality teams. But closing out games is harder. Gotta do the little things.

The Streak is dead. Long live the Streak

Making a three in 945 consecutive games is a real accomplishment, especially since it started in a time when teams only took 2 or 3 long shots a game, usually out of desperation.

Most coaches didn't consider a three-first strategy as "real" basketball then.

It is odd that a team that brought in four players over the summer with gaudy shooting stats would struggle all season once the lights came on.

Tech was obviously trying to limit attempts from deep, and conceded shots in the lane. They still lost.

But they will always have the hide of The Streak tacked to their wall. Congrats.

Just Win Baby

Keeping a solid Baylor team at arm's length in Ames is one thing. Winning in Lubbock, where so many Cyclone teams have been demoralized, is something else.

Iowa State was never rattled, kept plugging away, and found a way to win in overtime. They get on the plane back to Ames +2 in the Floyd standings, with two more stout opponents next week.

The three game stretch of Tech, Kansas and West Virginia was going to reveal a lot about this squad. Their grit and moxie are becoming more obvious.