Here's the telling stat, and I've posted it before, but most people don't know it especially the media:
ISU was leading or tied at some point in the final 5 minutes in 7 of their 11 losses this season, and within one possession of another 2 games (3 if you count the last OU game's buzzer beater - but...doesn't really count for this). Take that for what it's worth, but remember it happened all against teams like Kansas and Oklahoma, who are out of their minds shooting the ball comparable to teams like UNC and Duke, but slightly better statistically
Oklahoma is shooting 46% from the field this year and 42.5% from 3 pt as a team. Kansas is shooting 49.6 from the field this year and 42.3% from 3 pt as a team this season. ISU beat both Kansas and OU one game each this year, and barely lost to KU another game and barely lost to OU two other times (all away or neutral court).
By contrast, Duke is shooting 46.1% from the field and 38.7% as a team from 3 pt range.UNC is shooting 47.8% from the field as a team this year and 31.4% from 3 pt range.
ISU was leading or tied at some point in the final 5 minutes in 7 of their 11 losses this season, and within one possession of another 2 games (3 if you count the last OU game's buzzer beater - but...doesn't really count for this). Take that for what it's worth, but remember it happened all against teams like Kansas and Oklahoma, who are out of their minds shooting the ball comparable to teams like UNC and Duke, but slightly better statistically
Oklahoma is shooting 46% from the field this year and 42.5% from 3 pt as a team. Kansas is shooting 49.6 from the field this year and 42.3% from 3 pt as a team this season. ISU beat both Kansas and OU one game each this year, and barely lost to KU another game and barely lost to OU two other times (all away or neutral court).
By contrast, Duke is shooting 46.1% from the field and 38.7% as a team from 3 pt range.UNC is shooting 47.8% from the field as a team this year and 31.4% from 3 pt range.