Iowa State Basketball on Track for Historic No. 1 Seed in NCAA Tournament

Iowa State’s men’s basketball team is on fire this season, setting the stage for what could be a historic first. The Cyclones, ranked No. 3 nationally with a 12-1 record (2-0 in Big 12 play), are being projected as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever. Their only hiccup so far? A tough second half against Auburn during the Maui Classic, which handed them their only loss.

Up next, Iowa State will face Utah on Tuesday night at Hilton Coliseum, with the game set to tip off at 7 p.m. and streamed on ESPN+.

### Where Iowa State Could Land in March Madness

Experts agree: Iowa State is looking like a top contender for a No. 1 seed. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi predicts the Cyclones will play in the East region (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), matched up against either Kansas City or Navy, both No. 16 seeds.

CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm also places Iowa State as a No. 1 seed but has them in the Wichita regional against No. 16 seed UNC-Asheville. Palm even ranks Iowa State as the top overall seed in the tournament, putting them ahead of other powerhouse programs like Tennessee, Auburn, and Duke.

### Why Iowa State’s Tournament Resume Stands Out

Iowa State’s performance this season backs up all the hype. The Cyclones are ranked No. 6 in the NCAA NET rankings, a key tool used to evaluate teams for March Madness. They’ve played four quadrant one games (the toughest matchups) so far and have come out on top in three of them, defeating strong teams like Marquette (ranked No. 11 in NET), Baylor (No. 24), and Dayton (No. 54).

Even their one loss to Auburn, an 83-81 nail-biter, isn’t a black mark—it’s about as respectable as a loss can be since Auburn is ranked No. 1 in NET right now.

### A Look Back at Iowa State’s Tournament History

Earning a No. 1 seed would be a monumental achievement for Iowa State basketball. While they’ve never reached this milestone before, the Cyclones have secured a No. 2 seed three times—in back-to-back seasons in 2000 and 2001, and just last year in 2024.

Under head coach TJ Otzelberger, Iowa State has been a consistent force in March Madness, making the tournament every year of his tenure so far. Highlights include Sweet 16 appearances in both 2022 and 2024, though they did face an early exit with a first-round loss to Pittsburgh in 2023.

This season could finally be their chance to take things to the next level and make history as a top-seeded team heading into college basketball’s biggest stage.