The Iowa State men close the regular season ranked 7th in the AP Top 25. The Cyclones are 25-6 and will be the fifth seed at the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City They will open late Wednesday morning against the winner of Tuesday’s game between Baylor and Arizona State. ISU coach T.J. Otzelberger says defense and rebounding were the keys in Saturday’s win over Arizona State and they will be headed forward.

Otzelberger says the leadership of senior guard Tamin Lipsey will be a key to a post season run.

Lipsey says the sense of urgency grows with the start of the Big 12 Tournament.

With a victory on Wednesday the Cyclones would advance to play the three seed Texas Tech.