Holy smokes, folks – Iowa State just delivered a knockout punch that could rewrite the college basketball season! The underdogs stormed into enemy territory and dismantled the nation's top-ranked team, leaving everyone buzzing about their unstoppable rise. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this the start of a dynasty, or just a fluke win that exposes Purdue's vulnerabilities? Stick around, because there's a whole lot more to unpack that might just change how you view these Cyclones.
Let's break it down: The No. 1 squad in the land, Purdue, suffered a crushing defeat right on their home court, getting trounced by No. 10 Iowa State in a score of 81-58. But zooming in on Purdue's downfall might distract from the real headline – Iowa State is rapidly becoming one of the most formidable forces in college hoops. They proved it by showcasing their elite shooting prowess, nailing 11 three-pointers, while their rock-solid defense clamped down on Purdue, limiting them to a season-low point total by a huge gap.
To put this in perspective for beginners, think of it like this: In basketball, shooting from beyond the arc (those three-point shots) is often a high-risk, high-reward move. Iowa State made it look effortless, converting nearly half their attempts, which is like hitting a home run in baseball – it's exciting and game-changing. And when it comes to defense, holding a powerhouse like Purdue to just 58 points? That's like a top-tier boxer dodging every punch; it shows strategy, teamwork, and sheer determination.
Take a peek at this snapshot of undefeated teams to see where Iowa State stacks up. These rankings, like the AP Poll (which is based on votes from coaches and media) and KenPom (a stats-driven system that evaluates offensive and defensive efficiency), help fans gauge a team's strength. Adjusted offensive efficiency measures how well a team scores against average competition, while adjusted defensive efficiency looks at how they prevent opponents from scoring. For example, a higher rank in these areas means they're outperforming expectations.
Undefeated and in AP top 10
Team
Record
AP rank
KenPom rank
Adj. off. efficiency
Adj. def. efficiency
Best win
Arizona
7-0
2
9
11
12
No. 5 UConn
Michigan
7-0
3
1
12
1
No. 11 Gonzaga
Duke
10-0
4
4
8
3
No. 7 Michigan State
Iowa State
9-0
10
2
6
2
No. 1 Purdue
Iowa State, sitting at 9-0 with a spot in the top 10, is absolutely tearing it up – and that's putting it mildly. Here's what stands out:
• They swept through the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving week, emerging as the only team without a loss, though they missed out on extra prize money due to a scheduling hiccup with the new Feast Week event. Could this have fueled their fire? It certainly feels like they're channeling any frustration into pure dominance on the court, steamrolling opponents post-tournament.
• Their three-point shooting is off the charts. On Saturday against Purdue, they hit 47.8 percent from deep, including draining their first five threes in the second half. In fact, they shot a blistering 54.1 percent overall, and after halftime, made 11 of their first 13 shots – talk about a hot streak! Just a few days earlier against Alcorn State, they went a jaw-dropping 22-for-30 (73 percent) from long range, shattering a school record for threes made. If you're tasked with guarding them, good luck – it's like trying to stop a wildfire with a garden hose.
• And this is the part most people miss: You really don't want to tangle with Milan Momcilovic, who's building a strong case for All-American honors. In the Purdue game, he racked up 20 points on 8-of-17 shooting, 3-of-7 from three. Sure, that might seem average compared to his 8-for-9 from deep against Alcorn State or his season-long 53.6 percent clip, but the key is his all-around threat – whether he's launching threes or driving to the basket, defenders are scrambling for answers. How do you even begin to contain a player who's making it look this easy?
[Embedded tweet or image placeholder: Milan Momcilovic making it look too easy @CycloneMBB pic.twitter.com/wTrA5MUQ8U — CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) December 6, 2025]
With this victory, Iowa State – one of The Athletic's early-season surprises – dealt Purdue (now 8-1) its first home nonconference loss in five years. Next up for the Cyclones is an intrastate rivalry clash with unranked Iowa, which promises more thrills.
Oh, and a quick shoutout: Guard Tamin Lipsey made a triumphant return to action after sitting out three games with a groin injury picked up in Vegas. He chipped in 9 points and dished out eight assists (with zero turnovers) in 32 minutes against Purdue, proving his value as a steady playmaker.
As for Purdue, the most eye-popping stat from Saturday? National player of the year contender Braden Smith ended up with 11 points, eight assists, but a whopping six turnovers – not his usual sharp self. Trey Kaufman-Renn, meanwhile, was held to just 4 points on 1-of-8 shooting, his lowest output since the 2024 title game. And get this: Purdue had been scoring 80-plus points in every outing this season... until Iowa State shut them down to 58 right in their own building. Ouch.
To add some historical spice, dig this nugget: Only one program in history has nabbed multiple wins over No. 1 teams by margins of 20 points or more. That's Iowa State, and they've done it within 21 months – beating No. 1 Houston by 28 in March 2024, and now No. 1 Purdue by 23 in December 2025.
[Embedded tweet or image placeholder: Another insane note from @CBSSports research. Only 1 program in history has multiple wins over #1 teams by 20+ points. It’s Iowa State. And it happened in a span of 21 months. March of 2024: Beat #1 Houston by 28 Dec of 2025: Beat #1 Purdue by 23 — Chris Hassel (@Hassel_Chris) December 6, 2025]
December 6, 2025
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Now, here's where things get really intriguing – and potentially divisive. Some fans might argue that Iowa State's hot shooting is unsustainable, a product of lucky breaks rather than true skill. Others might see it as a sign of innovative coaching or simply the Cyclones peaking at the right time. Is Purdue overrated after this stumble, or will they bounce back stronger? And what about the pressure on Iowa State to keep this momentum going against tougher foes like Iowa? Do you think undefeated streaks like this one are destined to end soon, or could Iowa State go all the way? Share your thoughts in the comments – agree or disagree, let's debate! What controversial take do you have on this matchup that might surprise everyone?
