Iowa State's explosive performance against Purdue has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world! The No. 1 team in the nation, Purdue, was utterly dismantled at home by the No. 10 Iowa State Cyclones, with a final score of 81-58. This isn't just a win; it's a statement.
But let's not get lost in the Purdue upset; the real story here is Iowa State's emergence as a force to be reckoned with. They're proving to be one of the most dangerous teams in college basketball right now. The Cyclones are backing up their reputation as one of the best shooting and defensive teams in the country. They sunk an impressive 11 three-pointers and held Purdue to a season-low score, by a significant margin.
Here's a quick look at the top teams, showcasing Iowa State's impressive run:
| Team | Record | AP Rank | KenPom Rank | Adj. Off. Efficiency | Adj. Def. Efficiency | Best Win |
|----------------|--------|---------|-------------|----------------------|----------------------|---------------|
| Arizona | 7-0 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 12 | No. 5 UConn |
| Michigan | 7-0 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 1 | No. 11 Gonzaga |
| Duke | 10-0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 3 | No. 7 Michigan State |
| Iowa State | 9-0 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 2 | No. 1 Purdue |
The Cyclones, currently 9-0, are on fire! Consider these factors:
- The Vegas Vengeance: Iowa State went 3-0 at the Players Era Festival during Thanksgiving week. But, due to a scheduling quirk, they didn't get the extra cash that came with playing in the final. Is this fueling their fire? It certainly seems like it!
- Three-Point Barrage: Iowa State's three-point shooting is simply phenomenal. They shot 47.8% from beyond the arc against Purdue, including making their first five 3s of the second half. Against Alcorn State, they went 22-of-30 (73%) from long distance, setting a new program record. Trying to defend this team right now must feel impossible.
- Momcilovic's Magic: Milan Momcilovic is making a strong case for All-American honors. Against Purdue, he scored 20 points on 8-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-7 from three. While that's impressive, consider his 8-of-9 performance from beyond the arc against Alcorn State. No one seems to have an answer for how to stop him.
With this win, Iowa State, one of the early season's surprise teams, handed Purdue (8-1) its first home non-conference loss since 2019. Up next is an in-state showdown with unranked Iowa.
Adding to the Cyclones' success, guard Tamin Lipsey returned from a groin injury and contributed 9 points and 8 assists (with zero turnovers) in 32 minutes against Purdue.
Now, let's talk about Purdue. The most shocking stat? National player of the year candidate Braden Smith finished with 11 points, 8 assists, and an uncharacteristic 6 turnovers. Trey Kaufman-Renn scored just 4 points, his worst output since the 2024 national championship game. And here's another stunner: Purdue had scored 80+ points in every game this season until Iowa State held them to just 58 in their own arena.
And this is the part most people miss... Only one program in history has multiple wins over No. 1 teams by 20+ points, and that's Iowa State. They achieved this feat in just 21 months:
- March 2024: Beat No. 1 Houston by 28 points
- December 2025: Beat No. 1 Purdue by 23 points
What do you think? Is Iowa State the real deal? Can they maintain this level of play throughout the season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
