The Iowa State men’s basketball season has started with a resounding statement, as the Cyclones claimed a dominant victory over Fairleigh Dickinson to move to 1-0. The performance was stellar, hinting that a truly fun season is on the horizon if the team can maintain this intensity. The clear catalyst for the blowout was junior Milan Momcilovic, who had a career night. He led the offense, showcasing exceptional efficiency and proving why he is poised to be the team’s go-to scorer. His ability to find rhythm and knock down seven three-pointers was particularly impressive, efficiently dropping 29 points and silencing any doubts after a quiet preseason. Beyond the individual scoring, the defensive effort was smothering. The Cyclones consistently forced turnovers and made every possession difficult for FDU, demonstrating the trademark intensity Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger demands. From this suffocating defense to a dynamic offensive flow led by Momcilovic’s career-high scoring output, the Cyclones demonstrated the cohesion and talent necessary to compete at the top of the Big 12 and make noise nationally. Despite dropping their last four games, the Iowa State football team remains fully committed to turning the corner and finishing the season strong. With three games left, the path to an 8-4 record is still achievable, a testament to the belief within the locker room. Head Coach Matt Campbell often emphasizes that the team is only "centimeters" away from securing those elusive wins, highlighting that small execution errors, not a lack of effort, are the current barrier. Defensive coordinator Jon Heacock echoes this sentiment, praising the great mentality of the players. Though losing linebacker Will McLaughlin for the rest of the season is a major blow to an already depleted defense, the Cyclones are not done fighting and aim to prove their resilience in the final stretch.