BLOG: And the rankings say…

AMES — First things first, Iowa State dropped in both the AP and USA Today Top 25’s following Saturday’s loss to South Carolina. 

The Cyclones went from ninth to 17th and 16th respectively. 

Last week, Iowa State was the highest ranked Big 12 team in the top 25. This week, the Cyclones are the fifth ranked Big 12 team, behind Texas (10), Kansas (12), West Virginia (14) and Oklahoma (16). Baylor is ranked 21st in this week’s AP poll. 

RPI: Iowa State is 44th in the RPI. 

ESPN’S BPI: Iowa State is 25th in ESPN’s BPI. 

KENPOM: The Cyclones are 19th in the latest rankings at KenPom.com. 

PARRISH: CBSSports.com’s Garry Parrish has the Cyclones at 14th in his weekly poll. 

BRACKETOLOGY: Now that league play has begun, Joe Lunardi’s "Bracketology" reports over at ESPN are somewhat relevant again. Nard-dog dropped his first bracket of 2015 on Monday morning and the Cyclones are a five-seed (in the west). The matchup, as irrelevant as it is, would put the Cyclones up against former Hoiberg (Iowa State) coach Tim Floyd. 

Other notes from the bracket: 

*** It features six Big 12 teams (Iowa State (5), Kansas (3), Texas (3), West Virginia (4), Oklahoma (4) and Baylor (6). 

*** Maryland, who topped Iowa State in November, is a three-seed. Iowa, who the Cyclones defeated in December, is a seven-seed. Arkansas, who Iowa State defeated in December, is an eight-seed. South Carolina, who beat the Cyclones on Saturday, is an 11-seed. Finally, Georgia State, who the Cyclones beat in November, is a 12-seed. 

*** That puts the Cyclones at 3-2 vs. Lunardi tournament teams so far in 2014-15. 

*** Northern Iowa is in as a six-seed. 

*** Jerry Palm has Iowa State as a seven-seed in his latest bracket.