I realize some thought Iowa State was an overachiever last season as opposed to legitimately one of the sport's best teams -- but it's getting harder and harder to hold on to that opinion. After the Cyclones went 10-1 in the non-league portion of their schedule,

The past hardly matters now that Big 12 play has begun, especially when you're the road team in conference play. Iowa State ran Colorado off the court in the Maui Invitational, beating the Buffaloes by 28 points on Nov.

Curtis Jones scored 20 points, Keshon Gilbert had 14 and No. 3 Iowa State opened Big 12 Conference play with a 79-69 win over Colorado on Monday night. The Cyclones (11-1) have won eight in a row, two over Colorado.