T.J. Otzelberger Guides Iowa State Basketball to New Heights While Staying Present
A new force is rising in the Big 12.
Iowa State has been a significant contender in men’s college basketball for the past decade. The Cyclones have experienced their most successful period lately, achieving five Big 12 tournament titles in the last 10 years and participating in 10 of the last 12 NCAA tournaments, often seeded sixth or higher.
However, this success has not satisfied them entirely. Despite their regular-season and conference tournament achievements, Iowa State has struggled in the NCAA tournament. While they have made it past the first round eight times, they have not replicated their only modern Elite Eight showing from 2000.
Last year seemed promising when Iowa State won a remarkable 29 games and earned a No. 2 seed for the first time in over two decades. Their head coach gained national attention for his casual polo shirts. Nevertheless, the Cyclones were eliminated in the Sweet 16 for the fourth time since 2014.
This season didn’t see Iowa State lose momentum from last year’s disappointment. Instead, the team has improved and looks ready not just for the Elite Eight but potentially even a run toward the Final Four in San Antonio.
T.J. Otzelberger Elevating Iowa State to New Heights
T.J. Otzelberger is the driving force behind Iowa State’s rise. In his fourth year as head coach, he previously worked as an assistant coach for the Cyclones and was head coach at South Dakota State and UNLV. When he returned in 2021, he inherited a struggling team that had only two wins in the previous season. The big question was how fast he could revitalize the program.
Now, having achieved 65 wins, it’s evident that the team has progressed much quicker than many anticipated.
Key players from last season have stuck around for another chance under Otzelberger. The team’s leading scorers this year—Keshon Gilbert, Curtis Jones, and Milan Momcilovic—are back alongside experienced guard Tamin Lipsey and transfer Joshua Jefferson from Saint Mary’s. All five players average double-digit scoring this season, with Jones recognized as one of the top sixth men in the nation.
“It’s the strongest team T.J. has coached,” said Kansas head coach Bill Self.
With their experience, the team’s offense has turned into one of the highest-scoring units in the country. After averaging 75.3 points per game last season, they now score an impressive 86.2 points per game, ranking in the top 10 nationally and demonstrating significant shooting efficiency. They’ve put up at least 80 points in 13 of their first 15 games.
“I heard a respected analyst remark that Iowa State might be the top offensive team in the country,” Self commented. “I would agree, as they possess the best trio of guards in the nation, and their big men are much more skilled than before.”
Iowa State Closing in on Historic Ranking in College Basketball
This season, Iowa State has faced challenges and has celebrated significant victories along the way. Standing at 14-1, their only loss was in a thrilling game against Auburn during the Maui Invitational. Currently, Auburn is the top team in the YSL News Sports coaches poll, with the Cyclones right behind them—marking their first time ranked second since 2015.
Iowa State has never reached the No. 1 spot in its 118-year basketball history, but they could make a strong case when they face No. 10 Kansas at home on Wednesday. Last year, a home victory over the Jayhawks bolstered the team’s confidence that they were building something special. Now, Iowa State has the chance to secure their third successive home win over Kansas and significantly progress in their pursuit of the Big 12 regular-season title, which they haven’t won since 2001.
“We’ve managed to embrace the challenges we’ve faced,” Otzelberger mentioned regarding the matchup with the Jayhawks. “There’s a mutual respect that’s developed. They understand that we have an incredible crowd expected, and it’s going to be an extraordinary atmosphere.”
This marks a new chapter for the Cyclones. Traditionally seen as the ‘hunters’ in the league, they are now the ‘hunted,’ with a prestigious program like Kansas chasing after them. Self has acknowledged the impressive season Iowa State has had and described them as “as good a team as there is in America.”
T.J. Otzelberger and Iowa State Focused on the Present Amidst Success
Despite the success, Otzelberger remains grounded and not distracted by the accolades.
“Once the final horn sounds in a game, my thoughts quickly shift to what we need to focus on for tonight and tomorrow, to ensure success in the next game,” he explained. “We remain focused on the present rather than congratulating ourselves for what we’ve achieved so far or speculating about future outcomes.
“We’re committed to staying present and focused on each day.”
This philosophy reflects Otzelberger’s mission since he took the helm at Iowa State: to maintain focus, accountability, and discipline while tuning out distractions. His approach has the Cyclones on the brink of reaching unprecedented achievements.
