Down But Not Out: Iowa State's Turnaround From Going Winless in Big 12
March 26th, 2024 - 10:29
In the seeding era, Iowa State is the ninth school to promptly revive its program and participate in the NCAA Tournament within five years after going winless in a power conference (0-18 in Big 12 three seasons ago before reached Sweet 16 in 2022 and losing to Pitt in opening round last season). The only other school in this quick-turnaround category to earn as good a seed (#2) was Georgia Tech, which reached the 1985 East Regional final after going winless in ACC four years earlier. Following is a chronological list of power-league members going from outhouse to penthouse within five campaigns since seeding was introduced in 1979:
| Winless Power-League Member | Conference (Season) | Ensuing NCAA Playoff Appearance (Record) |
|---|---|---|
| Southern California | 0-14 in Pac-8 (1975-76) | #7 seed in 1978-79 (1-1) |
| Georgia Tech | 0-14 in ACC (1980-81) | #2 seed in 1984-85 (3-1) |
| Wake Forest | 0-14 in ACC (1985-86) | #5 seed in 1990-91 (1-1) |
| Texas Tech | 0-16 in SWC (1989-90) | #12 seed in 1992-93 (0-1) |
| Miami (Fla.) | 0-18 in Big East (1993-94) | #11 seed in 1997-98 (0-1) |
| Texas A&M | 0-16 in Big 12 (2003-04) | #12 seed in 2005-06 (1-1) |
| Texas Christian | 0-18 in Big 12 (2013-14) | #6 seed in 2017-18 (0-1) |
| Pittsburgh | 0-18 in ACC (2017-18) | #11 seed in 2022-23 (2-1) |
| Iowa State | 0-18 in Big 12 (2020-21) | #11 seed in 2021-22 (reached Sweet 16), #6 seed in 2022-23 (lost to Pitt) and #2 seed in 2023-24 (2-0 entering Sweet 16) |