In the first round of the tournament, extreme underdog Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans shocked the world when they knocked off heavily favored Purdue in double OT, 85-83. At the time, the Trojans were tied with the Kansas Jayhawks for the best record in Division I basketball with a record of 30-4.  Iowa State was hoping to reach the Sweet 16 for the second time in two years. Iowa State was upset last year in the first round by the UAB Blazers 60-59 while the Cyclones were the number three seed. The last time the Cyclones reached the Sweet 16, Georges Niang was out because he was in a walking boot.  Little Rock’s head coach, Chris Beard said of Niang, “Yeah, he’s a pro…He’s going to play on TNT. I think he’ll play in the NBA.”

At first, this game appeared it could end up being another close one. This one would be close for most of the first half. Little Rock led at one point, 26-24. However, an Iowa State 10-0 run put the game away. At halftime, the score was 40-28 in the Cyclones’ favor. Coming out of the break, the Cyclones began the second half with another lengthy run, 13-5, to extend their already huge lead. This game would not really get any closer. Iowa State would run away with this lead, ending Little Rock’s Cinderella run with a score of 78-61.

Iowa State will move on to play the number-one-seeded Virginia Cavaliers, who defeated the Butler Bulldogs in the round of 32.