100 Things Cyclone Fans Should Forget Before They Die: Niang’s Broken Foot

Congrats on making this far, I know if I would’ve seen this headline I would’ve continued to scroll. I have tried to forget this incident since the day it happened. What happened might you ask? Iowa State stuff happened.

Iowa State was fresh off of a Big 12 Championship, and were one of hottest teams in the country with one of the best players in the country. The Cyclones were a 3 seed doing what was needed to be done: take care of business in the first round. This is exactly what they were doing. They won the game 93-75. Monte Morris had a sick pass (skip to 0:48,) all of the starters scored at least 14 points, the Cyclones shot over 60% from the field and over 50% from three. They were clicking on all cylinders.

Then, everything changed. Towards the end of the second half, in a blowout, Georges Niang’s foot got stepped on. Broken. He continued to play and he even hit a couple of shots. But just like that, all of the title hopes were gone. Iowa State avoided the vaunted 3 vs 14 upset (gulp,) but it came with a cost. Georges Niang wouldn’t be there in the next round, or the rounds after that.

Iowa State managed to beat North Carolina in the next game, thanks to a game winner from DeAndre Kane. Niang was at the game, but was forced to cheer on the team from the sidelines.

The Sweet 16 matchup was against UCONN, the eventual national champions. The Cyclones played one of the worst games imaginable, and still only lost by 5. Dustin Hogue was a monster with 34 points, but it wasn’t enough. If Niang doesn’t break his foot, Iowa State wins that game. And if they won that game, who knows how far they go after that.

UCONN went on to beat Michigan State by 6, Florida by 10, and Kentucky by 6. All of these teams had their best players and the seven seed still beat them. Alright. You get the picture, we were robbed. I should probably stop making this worse. Cyclone fans should remember this season as the season where we were not only on the map, but they were a threat to everyone. Remember Hilton Magic and Hilton South. Who am I kidding?

That freak injury will always be a nutshot Cyclones fans will try to forget, but will never be able to.