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Could this team become the best team in Cyclone MBB History?

LeaningCy said:
I loved the 99/00 team and that Michigan State game is still probably the most gutted I've ever felt as a fan. I'm still in the camp that they are the best in our history, but I'd love for this year's team to take it from them.

Just looking back at the 99/00 schedule and results, they only played two road games vs ranked opponents during the entire Big 12 schedule (16 games). They beat #24 Kansas by 2 and lost at #17 OU by 5 in 2OT.

This year's team has already played 4 conference road games vs ranked opponents with one to go. I think it's safe to say this year's team has a significantly tougher conference schedule, so I won't hold a few more tough road losses against them.
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Until about what, 3 years ago, the Big 12's bottom was usually pretty bad, to a point where some of the bottom teams were basicaly 'bye' games.

That should be taken into account in these comparisons.

And again this team still has 1 1/2 months left. So much can happen.
 
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To me ‘00 team was at worst #2 in nation. So that’s a high bar.

That said, winning this version of the big 12 would be a much tougher accomplishment compared to before Baylor got elite and when the conference had dead weight like Nebraska and Colorado.
 
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They’re not and I’ve watched both. Would this team going to a final four change my mind? Probably not but I’d still be as happy as any cyclone on the face of the planet. They don’t have to be the best team in school history. They just need to keep doing what they’re doing because the team in this conversation that’s beating them I’ll be amazed if they’re ever surpassed. That team was national level dominant and just got screwed. Top 3 team all time to not win a title
 
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chadly82 said:
They’re not and I’ve watched both. Would this team going to a final four change my mind? Probably not but I’d still be as happy as any cyclone on the face of the planet. They don’t have to be the best team in school history. They just need to keep doing what they’re doing because the team in this conversation that’s beating them I’ll be amazed if they’re ever surpassed. That team was national level dominant and just got screwed. Top 3 team all time to not win a title
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Fizer was objectively a top three player in the nation. Martin was a stud but he got injured before the tournament.
 
jay moe said:
To this day, I don't know why we weren't a 1 seed, Big XII regular season and conference champs should garner a 1 seed.
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Pre-geographical podal days. It was all or nothing back then. If ISU would have been a #01 seed, they would have been in a different region and not able to play the first two rounds in Minneapolis (which was great). Iowa State stayed in the Midwest as the # 2 seed. These days, they could be the #01 seed in the West, East or South and play in Omaha as the #01 seed.
 
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CycloneRulzzz said:
I was coming to say something similar. Big 12 wasn't nearly the conference it is today. Lots of conference cupcakes back then.

Overall though put me in the camp of waiting till the end of the season before we can start comparing.
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The Big 12 was plenty good in that era. OSU, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa State, etc. Most definitely was not filled with cupcakes. Lots of great coaches, great crowds, great history. It took an act of God for a non-Kansas team to move up the AP or Coaches polls though, and that’s all that mattered then.
 
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chadly82 said:
They’re not and I’ve watched both. Would this team going to a final four change my mind? Probably not but I’d still be as happy as any cyclone on the face of the planet. They don’t have to be the best team in school history. They just need to keep doing what they’re doing because the team in this conversation that’s beating them I’ll be amazed if they’re ever surpassed. That team was national level dominant and just got screwed. Top 3 team all time to not win a title
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I still watch full game replays from 99-00 from time to time. Watched the Big 12 tournament title game against OU recently. Jamaal was just so damn crafty w/the basketball. That whole team was so unbelievably physically strong.
 
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Not even close…yet.

I think this team still has some room before it even reaches the ceiling of the ‘13-14 team pre-Niang foot, which is the best Cyclone team since then IMO, and that team was quite a bit behind the ‘99-00 team to my eye.

Having watched pretty much every Cyclone basketball game since around 1995, I am proud of this current team but I don’t think they have the same ceiling as some others in the past. But, I also think the top level of CBB is just not as good this year, so this team could certainly put together a resume by the end that is comparable to ‘99-00 if not better. When they make the Final Four, we can change this answer to a “yes.”
 
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Cloned4Life said:
The Big 12 was plenty good in that era. OSU, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa State, etc. Most definitely was not filled with cupcakes. Lots of great coaches, great crowds, great history. It took an act of God for a non-Kansas team to move up the AP or Coaches polls though, and that’s all that mattered then.
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Yep. Anyone who has watched games over the decades can tell you this. It was a tough league back then, whether KenPom says it was the best or not.
 
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1996-97 is my favorite ISU team ever but I can admit a starting lineup with only 1 3 pt threat, a PG that doesn’t shoot, and a 3 and 4 that can’t make a bucket outside 8 feet would not win in today’s game.
 
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First, win on Saturday. That sets up the biggest regular season game @Houston on Big Monday in program history that I can ever remember. Win @Houston and you are on the inside track for a regular season Big 12 title and in serious contention for a #1 seed in our backyard.

This team seemingly gets better every time out. If they are peeking heading into the tournament and get some hot shooting in the second weekend of the tournament some of these current players are going to turn into legends and all-time greats in the matter of a 4-5 game stretch.
 
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CySmurf said:
Why do you feel the need to prove a team that went 32-5 and won the Big12 regular season and conference tournament is inferior to a team that is, at the moment, is 19-5.
That team was tough as nails...not only physically but mentally too. They got to the Elite 8 and it gave the eventual champions their toughest game of the tournament...probably should have won. If this team accomplishes all that, then we can have an honest discussion.
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This is a succinct and accurate summary. This year’s team has accomplished none of this. Let’s see what they can do.
 
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Cloned4Life said:
The Big 12 was plenty good in that era. OSU, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa State, etc. Most definitely was not filled with cupcakes. Lots of great coaches, great crowds, great history. It took an act of God for a non-Kansas team to move up the AP or Coaches polls though, and that’s all that mattered then.
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Remember, though, that the Big 12 schedule at that time was only 16 games. Iowa State played everyone in the Big 12 North home and away, and everyone in the South just once. At this point in 2000, Iowa State was only ranked 14th, because the only games against ranked opponents were losses against Cincinnati and OU, and a win against KU. Their only additional wins against eventual tournament teams at this point in the season were Colorado and Arkansas. It wasn't until the end of the season when they proved themselves against OSU and Texas, then in the Big 12 tournament against OSU and OU.

Plus, when the previous poster mentioned cupcakes, I doubt he was referring to any of the teams you mentioned; he was talking about the teams at the bottom of the conference. The 99/00 Big 12 had 5 of 12 teams finish with overall records under .500. For comparison, last season the Big 12 had 1 of 10 below .500 and right now has 2 of 14 below .500 (UCF might make it 3 by the end of the year).

I don't think we should probably make the comparison to the 1999/2000 team yet, but I think people should keep in mind the difference in schedules between the two teams. At this point in 2000, Iowa State was 21-3, but if we were just making a direct resume comparison with this year's 19-5 team without knowing the rest of the story in 2000, I doubt that anyone would say the 1999/2000 team is clearly the better one. Point being, there's a lot of season left.
 
If they're a 2 seed, and basically have to play on the number 1 seeds home court for the final four. Maybe, problem is trying to compare different generations.
 
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