On Wednesday afternoon in Kansas City, Missouri, two Big 12 teams clashed in an exciting matchup
T.J. Otzelberger and the Iowa State Cyclones faced off against Wes Miller and the Cincinnati Bearcats in the opening match of the second round of the 2025 Big 12 Tournament. The game went back and forth in the first half, with Cincinnati hanging with the defending champs before the Cyclones pulled away in the second half with big-time performances from multiple stars. They will take the court next Thursday vs. BYU.
With that, here are the top three takeaways from Iowa State’s 76-56 win over the Bearcats.
Balanced Attack
Iowa State is at its best when multiple stars and role players contribute. That was the case on Wednesday as the defending Big 12 Tournament champs had four scorers reach double figures. The group of Joshua Jefferson, Milan Momcilovic, Tamin Lipsey, and Dishon Jackson recorded a total of 58 points in the win.
While Kansas and Kansas State should have the best home-court environments in Kansas City for the Big 12 Tournament, Iowa State fans claim that throne each and every season. Wednesday was no different, and if anyone is to knock off the champs in the tournament, they’ll have to do it at Hilton South.
What’s Next?
With the loss for Cincinnati, the question becomes, will that be the last time we see them this year?
The Bearcats were eliminated from any conversation of an at-large bid in the last two games of the regular season, but they are close enough to head to either the NIT or CBC.
While Cincinnati would typically fit the criteria of an NIT team, teams from the Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC appear to be looking toward the College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas instead.
While nothing is set in stone, based on some recent reports about the CBC, two Big 12 teams are expected to earn invites to the tournament.
Will Cincinnati want to play in either? That question remains to be seen.
Gilbert Watch
A nugget of good news for Cyclones fans was the return of star guard Keshon Gilbert. Unfortunately, the return was overshadowed by a groin injury, which kept him sidelined in the second half.
He wasn’t the only member of the Cyclones’ backcourt to get hurt, either, as Tamin Lipsey was taken to the locker room in the win.
What will their status be going forward? Will T.J. Otzelberger shut them both down until the start of the NCAA Tournament?
Iowa State has some major dark clouds nearing if things go off the rails like this.
