Big 12 Semifinals Primer: No. 7 Iowa State vs. No. 2 Arizona

Who: [5] Iowa State (27-6, 12-6 Big 12) vs. [1] Arizona (30-2, 16-2 Big 12)

Where: T-Mobile Center (18,000) – Kansas City, Mo.

When: Friday, March 13, 2026 – 6 p.m. CT

Watch: ESPN // Dan Shulman (PxP), Jay Bilas (Analyst) & Kris Budden (Reporter)

Listen: Cyclone Radio Network // John Walters (PxP) & Eric Heft (Analyst)

Tipping Off: Another opportunity at revenge presents itself in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals, as Iowa State will get another crack at Arizona – this time on a neutral court. The Cyclones will aim to advance to their seventh Big 12 title game in program history.

Iowa State enters Friday's semifinals riding a three-game winning streak and has won those contests by an average of 30.7 points. The Cyclones downed No. 16 Texas Tech in the quarterfinals on Thursday, avenging its lone home loss of the season.

Arizona, much like Iowa State, made short work of its Big 12 Tournament foe, as it bested UCF in its debut contest by 22 points. The Wildcats will look to return to the title game for the second straight season after finishing as the runner-up in their first year in the league.

Storylines:

Iowa State has been ranked in the AP Top 25 for 50 straight weeks, the fourth-longest streak in the nation. It is the second-longest streak in the Big 12 behind Houston's 124, which is the longest streak in the country.
- The Cyclones and Cougars are the only two Big 12 schools to have streaks of at least 30 weeks.
In five seasons under Coach Otzelberger, the Cyclones have been known for their defense, as they have ranked as a top-15 unit in the country each year, and 2025-26 is no different (according to KenPom defensive rating).
The Cyclones had three players honored in the Big 12 postseason awards. Joshua Jefferson was named to the All-Big 12 First Team, Milan Momcilovic to the Second Team, and Tamin Lipsey earned All-Defensive, Second Team and Scholar Athlete of the Year honors.
Joshua Jefferson has recorded two triple-doubles this season, tied for the most in the country.
- He has been named a finalist for the Karl Malone award.
- Jefferson became the first player in program history to have multiple triple-doubles in a career.
- He is just the third Big 12 player with multiple triple-doubles, but is the first to accomplish both in conference games.
Milan Momcilovic has been the nation's best marksman this season, as the junior leads the country in 3-point percentage.
- He has been named a finalist for the Julius Erving award.
- Momcilovic has six 25-plus point games so far this season for ISU.
Tamin Lipsey holds the most steals in program history and is in the top three in Big 12 history for career steals.
- He holds the most wins against Big 12 opponents by any active player.

From the Notes:

As a head coach, Otz is 221-114 overall and has guided the Cyclones to a 122-51 record over the last four years.
- He earned his 100th win at Iowa State against HOF coach Rick Pitino and No. 14 St. John's in the Players Era Championship opener on Nov. 24.
- He then earned his 200th win over his mentor and former head coach Greg McDermott on Nov. 25.
- His 118 wins are the most in the first five years in ISU history.
- Otz is the quickest coach in school history to 100 career wins, doing so in 145 games.
With its Big 12 Tournament win over No. 16 Texas Tech, Iowa State now has 30 wins over top 25 teams since Otzelberger took over (2021-22). That is the fifth-most in the nation during that stretch.
Otz has led Iowa State to four 20-plus win seasons, joining Orr (5) and Hoiberg (4) as the only ISU coaches to do so four-plus times.
Iowa State has won 25 or more games for just the seventh time in program history.
Coach Otzelberger is the only Iowa State men's basketball coach to take multiple teams to the Sweet 16.
- He was the 51st coach in NCAA Division I history to take a team to the Sweet 16 twice in his first three years on the job.
- In four postseason appearances, Otzelberger has five NCAA Tournament wins – the most by any coach in program history.
Otz currently holds the school's highest winning percentage by a head coach.
As of Thursday, the Cyclones are ranked No. 8 in the NET. Iowa State slots in at No. 7 in the KenPom rankings and is No. 7 in ESPN's Basketball Power Index.

Switching Sides:

This will be the 11th all-time meeting between Iowa State and Arizona. The Wildcats lead the all-time series, 6-4.
- The teams met twice last season, splitting the contests at one apiece.
- ISU fell at Arizona earlier this season on the Wildcats' Senior Night.
Under Tommy Lloyd, Arizona is 31-15 against Top 25 opponents, and has the highest winning percentage against ranked foes in the country.
- This year, Arizona is 10-2 against ranked foes.
Lloyd has 142 wins as a head coach, which is the most wins through a coach's first five seasons in NCAA history.
Arizona is 15-2 in Quad 1 games this season. The 15 wins are the most in the country.
The Wildcats were picked to finish fourth in the preseason conference poll, a year after finishing tied for third last season with a 14-6 record.
Arizona Head Coach Tommy Lloyd is in his fifth year at the helm of the Wildcat program. Lloyd is 142-35 with UA, which is his only stop as a head coach.
- Lloyd was a 20-year assistant with Mark Few at Gonzaga prior to getting the Arizona head coaching gig.
As of Thursday, the Wildcats are ranked No. 3 in the NET. Arizona is No. 3 in KenPom and No. 3 in ESPN's Basketball Power Index.

Big 12 Semifinals Primer: No. 7 Iowa State vs. No. 2 Arizona

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Big 12 Semifinals Primer: No. 7 Iowa State vs. No. 2 Arizona

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