Iowa State Upsets Kansas, Showcasing Final Four Potential

Cyclones' victory over Jayhawks reminds fans of team's tournament aspirations.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Iowa State Cyclones pulled off an impressive upset victory over the Kansas Jayhawks, a win that has reinvigorated discussions around the Cyclones' potential to make a deep run in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The game showcased Iowa State's ability to compete with one of the top teams in the country, reigniting hopes that the Cyclones could be a surprise contender for a Final Four berth.

Why it matters

Iowa State's win over Kansas serves as a reminder that the Cyclones are a force to be reckoned with in college basketball. As a program that has historically struggled to reach the sport's highest levels, this victory demonstrates that Iowa State has the talent and coaching to compete with the nation's elite teams, raising expectations for what the Cyclones can accomplish this season and in future tournaments.

The details

The Cyclones pulled off the upset behind a balanced scoring attack and stifling defense that limited the Jayhawks' offensive opportunities. Iowa State's players executed their game plan to perfection, taking advantage of Kansas' weaknesses and making timely plays down the stretch to secure the victory.

  • The game was played on February 15, 2026.

The players

Iowa State Cyclones

The men's basketball team from Iowa State University, a member of the Big 12 Conference.

Kansas Jayhawks

The men's basketball team from the University of Kansas, a perennial powerhouse in the Big 12 and nationally.

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What they’re saying

“This win shows that we can compete with the best teams in the country. Our guys really bought into the game plan and executed it to perfection.”

— T.J. Otzelberger, Head Coach, Iowa State Cyclones (Des Moines Register)

“Give credit to Iowa State, they came in here and took it to us. We'll have to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to bounce back from this loss.”

— Bill Self, Head Coach, Kansas Jayhawks (Des Moines Register)

What’s next

The Cyclones will look to build on this momentum as they continue their conference schedule, with key matchups against other top Big 12 teams in the coming weeks. A strong finish to the regular season could secure Iowa State a high seed in the NCAA Tournament, setting the stage for a potential deep postseason run.

The takeaway

Iowa State's upset victory over Kansas serves as a testament to the program's growth and the team's ability to compete at the highest level of college basketball. This win has reignited hopes among Cyclones fans that their team can make a surprise run to the Final Four, showcasing the program's potential to break through as a national contender.