Iowa State University men’s basketball suffered a tough blow against the University of Kansas men’s basketball team on February 3, 2025, at the iconic Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. In a matchup that pitted the No. 8 Cyclones against the No. 16 Jayhawks, Iowa State faced a 69-52 defeat, marking their third consecutive loss. This latest setback has left the Cyclones with a 17-5 overall record and a 7-4 standing in the Big 12 conference, causing them to slip out of the top four in the conference rankings.
Poor shooting performance in the first half set the tone for the Cyclones’ struggles throughout the game. With a dismal 24% field goal percentage and a 1-for-12 showing from beyond the arc in the opening 20 minutes, Iowa State faced an uphill battle from the start. Head coach T.J. Otzelberger’s squad had difficulty converting on second-chance opportunities, despite grabbing 11 offensive rebounds. A notable sequence involving junior forward Joshua Jefferson exemplified the Cyclones’ frustrations, as repeated missed shots prevented them from capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
The lack of offensive firepower continued into the second half, with Iowa State managing only a 39% shooting percentage and a 2-for-9 performance from three-point range. Key players like junior guard Tamin Lipsey, senior guard Keshon Gilbert, and senior guard Curtis Jones struggled to find their rhythm, with Jones particularly hampered by a 1-for-7 shooting night from long range. The absence of sophomore forward Milan Momcilovic, sidelined with a broken hand, further compounded the Cyclones’ offensive woes, as Jones and his teammates grappled with a scoring drought in critical moments.
The three-game losing streak, a rarity for Iowa State since the 2022-23 season, underscores the team’s current challenges in the absence of Momcilovic’s contributions. Kansas head coach Bill Self’s impeccable record in Monday night games, now standing at 38-0 in Big Monday matchups, added to Iowa State’s woes as the Jayhawks’ sharpshooting from outside proved difficult to contain. Guard Zeke Mayo’s stellar performance, highlighted by a 5-for-6 shooting display, propelled Kansas to victory, leaving Iowa State searching for answers to reverse their fortunes.
As the Cyclones look to bounce back from their recent setbacks, the impending return of Momcilovic offers a glimmer of hope for a team in need of offensive spark. With a renewed focus on offensive efficiency and a collective effort to rediscover their winning ways, Iowa State faces a pivotal juncture in their season. The road ahead will require resilience, teamwork, and a renewed sense of purpose as they strive to turn the tide and reclaim their winning form.
