THERE'S NO IONA STATE, RIGHT? - For the past few years, the closest any team from the Cyclone state has gotten to the NCAA tournament was when a sportswriter would accidentally misspell "Iona" filling out their brackets. Despair no more: The Sporting News has Iowa State projected as a 13 seed in this year's March Madness.
HE'S LIKE BOBBY KNIGHT MINUS THE WINNING - Yesterday was a pretty brutal day for our in-state rivals to the east. Maybe that's why, shortly after getting T'd up during a soul-crushing 95-61 loss to Michigan State, Fran McCaffery decided to spike his chair on to the court during a time-out huddle. Now we know why Fran was introduced with the catchphrase "LETS GET MAD AGAIN!" (Because actually being competitive is far too much to ask of this team.)
MORE DELICIOUS SCHADENFREUDE - Marcus Coker, who was suspended for the Insight Bowl, is now the 14th straight Iowa RB to leave the Hawkeyes before playing their senior season. The Iowa Athletic Department isn't saying much, but apparently he was the focus of a sexual assault investigation back in October.
M-I-Z-Z-(FUCK)-U - Tonight, #8 Mizzou (fresh off a loss to Kansas State) comes to Hilton to face a surging Cyclone team who has won 7 straight. A win tonight could elevate the Cyclones from "Bubble Tournament Team" to "Legit Big XII Contender." For that to happen, though, we need to dust off the ol' Hilton Magic. So please, on behalf of those of us who are stuck multiple states away: GO TO THIS GAME IF YOU ARE AT ALL ABLE. (The last time we said this was the Iowa State/Okie State football game, and we all know how that turned out.) If you can't make it, the game will be on ESPN3 and/or a bunch of local affiliates that are listed in the sidebar to the left at 7:00 PM CST
IN SPANDEX NEWS - Senior Michelle Browning, last year's Big XII Gymnast of the year, pulled down the first "Big XII Gymnast of the Week award" of the year after winning the all-around in a meet against Mizzou. The Cyclones are currently ranked 24th in the country.
ROLL CY-DE - USA Today reminds everyone that Alabama never would have won their 14th title without a little help from Paul Rhoads and company. Between this and foisting Gene Chizik upon Auburn, Alabama really should be sending fruit baskets, champagne, and expensive whores to Jamie Pollard.